|
CITY COUNCIL AND CITY CLERK’S OFFICE
HIGHLIGHT PITTSBURGH’S HISTORY THROUGH EXHIBITION
Archival Materials on Display to Celebrate Pittsburgh’s 250 Birthday
As part of Pittsburgh’s 250 Birthday Celebration, City Council and the City Clerk’s Office have worked with the Allegheny Conference and the Senator John Heinz History Center to offer an historic display of rarely seen archival materials for public viewing.
These invaluable documents will be displayed on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 from 10 AM to 1:30 PM outside of City Council Chambers, 5th Floor, City County Building, 414 Grant Street. Visitors may also tour City Council Chambers, designed and constructed by famed Designer Henry Hornbostel and Architect Edward B. Lee from 1915 – 1917.
David A. Grinnell, Chief Archivist of the Senator John Heinz History Center, assisted in the selection of documents that will be displayed. “From a historical perspective, it’s exciting to see documents created by elected officials as early as 1816 are still being maintained by the City Clerk’s Office,” said Grinnell. “This has insured that the vital records of our city are available to highlight the 250th Birthday of Pittsburgh.”
The materials that have been chosen for display document the following: the official charters of the Borough of Pittsburgh, 1804 and the City of Pittsburgh, 1816; the evolution from a bicameral (divided) legislative system (1816) to today’s single legislative body beginning (1911); points of interest from Ordinance Books, including an 1895 hand drawn Street Grid Map of the Strip District and an image of the city’s 1845 Great Fire, which destroyed more than half of the city; and Records of the Annexation of various Boroughs and Municipalities into the city, such as the City of Allegheny, Sheraden, Lawrenceville and Knoxville Boroughs.
“I hope the public will take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to view original, handwritten records of Pittsburgh’s 250-year history,” said City Council President Douglas Shields. “We are reminded of the critical importance of memorializing the actions of the legislative body in order to assure transparent city government.”
About Pittsburgh 250:
Pittsburgh 250 is the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the naming of the region in 1758. With the support of business, government and civic leaders from across the region, Pittsburgh 250 has three goals: improve awareness of Southwestern Pennsylvania as a global leader in arts, science and quality of life through an integrated regional marketing effort; support the completion of lasting signature projects that connect the region’s past to its future; and improve the region’s competitiveness for future generations by encouraging grassroots participation in improving communities, attracting visitors and living healthier lives.
|
