Report from the field: Western Pennsylvania

I just got back from a short but lovely trip to the rolling hills of western Pennsylvania.  SITES’ Booming Out: Mohawk Ironworkers Build New York opened at the California University of Pennsylvania.  As a special treat during the opening ceremonies, LaDonna Harris, trustee of the National Museum of the American Indian, spoke to students about ‘Sharing Core Values.’  She was wonderful, and the show looks great.  Congratulations Cal U!

While there, I also visited friends at our Pittsburgh affiliate, the Heinz History Center.  The exhibition team had just come in from repelling one of their walls (the History Center is located in an old ice warehouse) to install a mural complementing the permanent reinstallation of their Clash of Empires exhibition.  (I wish I had a picture of that!! and that I could have tried it myself 🙂 )  They have many other exciting things happening – an exhibition on the Steelers’ 75th Anniversary; the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Civil War; PA’s Quest for Freedom initiative that links underground railroad sites statewide; and what sounds like a super fun ‘Night at the Museum’ sleepover party for families, inspired by the Ben Stiller movie.  Check them out at www.pghhistory.org.

western PA 007.jpg         western PA 018.jpg 
LaDonna Harris          Fun directional signage @ Heinz