If so, bring your collectibles, heirlooms, and other prized possessions to the History Center for the second annual “Pittsburgh’s Hidden Treasures, An Antiques Appraisal Show” event. 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.
More than 30 professional appraisers will identify items from a variety of disciplines, including:
Militaria
Sports and presidential memorabilia
Books and documents
Antique coins and jewelry
Furniture and household items (China, glass, silver, vases, etc.)
Classic toys
Textiles (wedding dresses, quilts, etc.)
American and European art
Each visitor is allowed to bring two items for appraisal. These can be of any size that will fit through a standard doorway. It is required that visitors be able to move their item through the event on their own. Antique firearms will be permitted, but WILL BE inspected by our gun expert (as visitors enter the first set of doors) before they will be allowed into the History Center.
Visitors to last year’s event received appraisals of their items as high as $125,000, with the most unique items from the event featured on a popular seven-part series shown on KDKA-TV throughout the year.
During this year’s “Pittsburgh’s Hidden Treasures” event KDKA-TV’s Ken Rice and Yvonne Zanos and the History Center’s Andy Masich will roam the museum with camera crews seeking out the most unique items. Many segments will be included as part of the show’s second season on KDKA-TV beginning this fall.
The event is included in the regular History Center admission prices.
History Center Members Enjoy Special Perks During Appraisal Show
History Center members are invited to visit the History Center beginning at 9:00 a.m., one hour before the museum opens to the public, to attend a “members only” appraisal session from 9-10:00 a.m.
Throughout the day, History Center members will also have access to a fast-tracked, “members only” line that will expedite their opportunity to meet with appraisals. To take advantage of this perk and purchase or renew a History Center membership, please visit the museum's online store or call 412-454-6436.
Hosted by History Center President and CEO Andy Masich and KDKA-TV's Ken Rice, each 30-minute episode highlights collectibles, heirlooms, and other prized possessions that nearly 2,000 Pittsburghers brought to the History Center for appraisals last fall.
KDKA-TV will air the seventh and final episode of the season on Monday, July 20 at 7:30 p.m.
The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center has been nominated as the best museum for kids in Pittsburgh by Parents' Picks Awards 2009.
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.
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