Elementary School Students Study History of Architecture of Pittsburgh

 
 
The Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation executive director made a special stop at Richland Elementary School on May 8, 2017. PHLF Executive Director Louise Sturgess spoke to second graders about the history of Pittsburgh and its architecture.
 
She presented to students in Mrs. Allison Monk’s and Mrs. Kathy Giegel’s classrooms, Mrs. Misty Smith's and Mr. Todd Murphy’s classrooms and Mrs. Stephanie Jewart’s, Ms. Lisa Sciulli's and Ms. Tracy Hanna's classrooms.
 
Ms. Sturgess brought large photos of Pittsburgh. She led students in a discussion about history and architecture. They played a building matching game in which students had to identify and match parts of a building. Students also participated in a mural-making activity. U

Recognized as one of the nation’s most innovative and effective nonprofit historic preservation organizations, PHLF works to identify and save historically significant places, renew historic neighborhoods, towns and urban areas. PHLF also works to preserve historic farms and historic designed landscapes and educate people about the Pittsburgh region’s rich architectural heritage. Each year the staff and docents of PHLF introduce more than 10,000 people, which includes teachers, students, adults and visitors, to the architectural heritage of the Pittsburgh region and to the value of historic preservation.
 
Through student/teacher workshops, tours, exhibits and a variety of educational programs, PHLF encourages people to notice and appreciate historic buildings, parks, public spaces, bridges, streets, etc. that make up the city and its neighborhoods and compose the special character of the Pittsburgh region. By exploring and discovering something about local history and architecture, people are more likely to preserve old buildings and thoughtfully consider the impact of new building proposals.

Ms. Sturgess works with fellow staff members, docents, and many trustees to raise funds for, create, and implement these various educational programs that include school tours, architectural design challenges, lectures, membership tours, and publications featuring regional history and architecture.