Pittsburgh Banksville Participates in PHLF’s “People & Places” Trolley Tour

For the second year, PHLF is offering its People & Places trolley tour to fourth-grade students in three Pittsburgh Public Schools as part of its EITC Building Pride; Building Character program. PHLF’s People & Places tour introduces students to the important people in Pittsburgh’s past, through the buildings, bridges, and parks named after them. This trolley tour builds upon students’ prior learning experience on PHLF’s third-grade trolley tour, which uses visits to the City-County Building, Courthouse, Fort Pitt Museum, Fort Pitt Blockhouse, and Incline to teach students about the importance of caring for Pittsburgh’s historic places––and the importance of building their character in the process.

The adventure begins when students board a modern interpretation of a historic transportation form––a trolley! The first stop is Dollar Bank’s Heritage Center, where students learn firsthand about Pittsburgh’s history of diversity through generations of deposit accounts interpreted through the Heritage Center’s historic exhibits.

The exploration continues as students ride the trolley through Downtown and across three bridges, pointing out the places named for various people: Stanwix Street—General John Stanwix; Forbes Avenue—General John Forbes; Heinz Hall—the Heinz family; Fort Duquesne Boulevard—Marquis Duquesne; the Roberto Clemente, Andy Warhol, and Rachel Carson bridges; and the Convention Center—David L. Lawrence. Stopping at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, one of our cooperating partners for this program, students learn all about the man for whom this vibrant and creative building is named, while reading some of the playwright’s own words about his city.

Visits to August Wilson’s house and Freedom Corner round out the day. Along the way, students are given time to fill in their trip book with reflections on their journey. Most importantly, students are asked to imagine a place in Pittsburgh that––either adapted, created, or restored, they would want named for them in the future, and why. All of these valuable tours and explorations are possible only through the support of our donors. To view highlighted pictures from past EITC program years, click here.

These successful programs are always in need of corporate support! To contribute to PHLF’s “Building Pride, Building Character” (BPBC) EITC program, please click here.