In 1908, city leaders developed plans for one of baseball’s iconic stadiums. Legendary Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss opened Forbes Field, the world’s first three-tiered steel and concrete stadium, one year later in 1909.
To commemorate the 100th anniversary of one of America’s most famous parks, the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum will honor Forbes Field throughout the summer with a new exhibition.
Forbes Field: A Century of Memories, an exhibit that opens on Thursday, June 27, will celebrate the iconic park through a series of photographs, fan memorabilia, and never-before-seen artifacts from the park’s illustrious history.
Forbes Field: A Century of Memories focuses on several key events in Forbes Field history, including the legendary 1909 World Series between the Pirates and Detroit Tigers, which featured Hall of Famers Honus Wagner and Ty Cobb, and the 1960 World Series, which featured one of baseball’s most famous moments, when Bill Mazeroski’s walk-off homerun beat the New York Yankees for the World Series title.
Fans of all ages will enjoy rare artifacts and unique memorabilia from local baseball history, including:
Forbes Field construction photographs, along with a ticket and invitations from the first game in 1909
Team owner Barney Dreyfuss’ personal day planners from the Pirates’ World Series championship years in 1909 and 1925
1910 baseball cards of Honus Wagner and Ty Cobb
An original Homestead Grays uniform from the 1940s
A baseball signed by Babe Ruth on the day he hit three homeruns at Forbes Field in 1935
An original Forbes Field window and signage, along with seats, and banners
Dozens of never-before-seen photos of Forbes Field throughout the years
Roberto Clemente’s game-used bat from 1966
The pitching rubber from the 1960 World Series
Scorecards, tickets, and game programs from throughout the iconic stadium’s history
Forbes Field: A Century of Memories also explores Pittsburgh’s other ballparks (including Exposition Park and Three Rivers Stadium), the unique fan experience at Forbes Field, and a look back at the other teams and events hosted at Forbes Field, such as Negro League baseball, professional and collegiate football, boxing, and much more.
Fans are also invited to learn more about local sports history by visiting the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, a dynamic museum-within-a-museum located on the History Center’s second and third floors.
(1861? Yes, you read that correctly. I’m starting to get up there, but you know what they say, “You’re only as old as you feel!”)
I made a surprise visit during a preview reception for the exhibition and read excerpts from that speech, delivered from my balcony at the Monongahela House hotel en route to my inauguration. After captivating the audience with my speech, History Center Chairman of the Board Steve Tritch signaled for the firing of a Civil War-era cannon and with that, my exhibit was officially open.
You can watch video highlights from the preview reception below:
Make sure to come back and visit my bLog soon. Videos, blogs, online slideshows, wow. Now if I can only figure out this cell phone thing…
By: Brian Butko, publications director, Senator John Heinz History Center
Ice Cream U: The Story of the Nation's Most Successful Collegiate Creamery By Lee Stout 72 pages, 41 color/60 b&w illustrations, $19.95 cloth
It’s not just alumni who know of Penn State’s famous creamery. Fans around the world recognize the university’s program and its ice cream as one of the school’s great success stories. This large-format book does the story justice by exploring the history of the creamery from modest beginnings as an agricultural college to today’s internationally recognized research and education facility.
Dairy studies began there as early as 1865, and two short courses were launched in 1892. A correspondence course was also started that year. Experimental work focused on both fundamental and practical research to provide information to both farmers and commercial producers. The Creamery began selling its excess output in 1902, and by 1912, 195 farmers were supplying milk for total sales of nearly $70,000.
But enough of that — I know you want to hear about ice cream! That’s here too, from Peachy Paterno to WPSU Coffee Break, in glorious color. After detailing the history of the program, the book comes alive with sections on the flavors, the new Creamery, the ice-cream making process (from cow to cone in 4 days), and dairy farms. And more than ice cream is made there; milk, sour cream, cream cheese, cheddar cheese, ricotta cheese, and yogurt are also produced and packaged. The images, both vintage sepia and modern shots, are laid out and reproduced beautifully.
The curators at the History Center are busy putting the final touches in preparation of Saturday’s opening. Boy, with all these great photos and artifacts, you might say that I’ve never looked better!
Our friends at CBS Radio Pittsburgh put together a wonderful video preview of the exhibit that I wanted to share it with you all. Click on the play button below:
Isn’t technology great?
In my day, we didn’t have fancy computers or the Internet, just an old fashioned pen and paper. Although I’ve heard the telegraph is quite a neat invention….
I’ll look forward to seeing everyone at the History Center beginning this Saturday. Don’t forget to wear your top hats.
Today, I stopped by the History Center for a sneak peak and was rather impressed with my (I’ve got to stop saying that!), I mean, their exhibit which takes an intimate look into my life, my personal and professional struggles, and my determination to lead America through one of its most challenging times.
I think the biggest highlight of the exhibit is the actual bed and bedroom set from the Monongahela House, the downtown Pittsburgh hotel where I stayed on Feb. 14, 1861, en route to my inauguration. That’s right – I did sleep here, Pittsburgh. It’s not a myth!
The History Center museum curators were busy reconstructing the bed today, but I managed to sneak a photo to share with you all – don’t’ tell!
I’ll be back soon with more behind-the-scenes photos and details from the new exhibit. Until then, check out www.heinzhistorycenter.org for the very latest.
By: Brian Butko, publications director, Senator John Heinz History Center
The History Center is pleased to announce the content of Western Pennsylvania History Magazine, stretching back to 1918, has been scanned and is now available online at no cost to the public.
The thousand pages of text were scanned and made searchable by the Office of Digital Scholarly Publishing at Penn State. Now anyone with an Internet connection can search the text back to 1918 and instantly access any article. For now, 2002 is the latest year scanned but that will be brought closer to the year of publication. Enjoy!
On Sunday, Aug. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., professional appraisers from a variety of disciplines will assess the historic significance of your items and provide a verbal assessment of potential monetary value.
Throughout the day, KDKA cameras will roam the History Center seeking out the most unique and unusual items that visitors have uncovered. Among the appraisers’ areas of expertise are:
The event is free for members and is included in the regular History Center admission prices. Stay tuned to www.heinzhistorycenter.org for details on special members-only privileges and a list of appraisers scheduled to attend.
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