Contact: Maureen Mahoney Hill
Email:
Cell: (412) 780-4708
Time Capsule to be Dedicated
Final Event of Block House 250 Celebrations
Point State Park, Pittsburgh, PA – November 21, 2014–This year, 2014, has marked the 250th anniversary of the construction of the Fort Pitt Block House, Pittsburgh’s oldest architectural landmark.Owned and operated by the Fort Pitt Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution of Allegheny County for more than 120 years, the Fort Pitt Block House still stands in its original location,now surrounded by scenic Point State Park in the heart of downtown, a reminder of our past and a beacon to the future.
The final event of the yearlong Block House 250 celebration will be held on Sunday, November 23 at 2pm at the Senator John Heinz History Center featuringthe dedication of a time capsule preserving the events and activities of this sestercentennial celebration and designed to be opened in 2064 on the 300th anniversary of the Block House.
Invited guests wereencouraged to bring their children and grandchildren – the next generation who will be charged with preserving and protecting the Fort Pitt Block House. Guests to the time capsule dedication will receive special free admission to the festivities at the History Center.The History Center, the largest history museum in Pennsylvania and a proud affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, features six floors of exhibitions, including the new Pittsburgh’s Lost Steamboat: Treasures of the Arabia on the first floor and Heinz on the museum’s fourth floor.
“Since 1894, the Fort Pitt Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution has provided invaluable stewardship of the Block House, Pittsburgh’s oldest structure,” said Andy Masich, president and CEO of the History Center. “The History Center is honored to help dedicate a time capsule that will serve to remind future generations of the important service and leadership provided by this group of determined women.”
###
The Fort Pitt Block House was originally constructed in 1764 as a defensive redoubt for Fort Pitt, a key British fortification during the French and Indian War. In 1894 the Block House was gifted to the Fort Pitt Society of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution by then owner, Mary Schenley. Operated as a historic site and museum, the Block House is celebrating its 250th anniversary throughout 2014. For more information and hours of operation, please visit