Free Friday Walking Tours: Oakland Civic Center (Fifth Avenue Area)

Reservations appreciated: marylu@phlf.org; 412-471-5808, ext. 527

This walking tour focuses on seven major buildings constructed between the 1890s and 1930s, bordering Fifth Avenue: the Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall, William Pitt Union, Schenley Quadrangle, University Club, former PAA, Alumni Hall, and Mellon Institute. They are part of the Oakland Civic Center, a place of big gifts and big dreams inspired by the City Beautiful movement that flourished in the 1890s and 1900s. The dreamers included John G. Bowman, chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, Edward M. Bigelow, city director of public works, and Franklin Nicola, developer. And the donors included Mary Schenley, Andrew Carnegie, Henry Phipps, Andrew Mellon, and the Heinz family. Hear the story of this celebrated neighborhood’s development and explore this architecturally significant center of education and culture on a free guided walking tour with PHLF.

Meeting location: Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall, 4141 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15213 (Meet outside the main doors by the statue, “Parade Rest,” of a soldier.)

 Ending location: Mellon Institute, 4400 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15213