Showing posts with label Fort Pitt Museum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fort Pitt Museum. Show all posts
Saturday, August 15, 2009
State Budget Impasse Closes Fort Pitt Museum
The Fort Pitt Museum in Point State Park and several other historical sites in Pennsylvania have been closed indefinitely because of the ongoing budget stalemate. Kirk Wilson, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission says the Fort Pitt Museum closed Friday and will not reopen until the state budget is resolved. Wilson also says the Bushy Run Battlefield in Westmoreland County, the Joseph Priestley House in Northumberland County and the Brandywine Battlefield in Chester County are also closed indefinitely because of a lack of state funding. The commission plans to lay off 23 workers.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Fort Pitt Museum to Receive Gift
The Friends of the Fort Pitt Museum will mark the end of a 40-year association with the museum by giving it a significant original work of art.
Donn Neil, President of Friends of the Fort Pitt Museum Commission, says it's a bittersweet occasion.
"It's sad that we're going to lose our association with the museum," he says. "Yet all of the contributions that we've made in the way of artifacts and documents are there, and we hope they remain there. And now this crowning gift of the wonderful John Buxton painting."
John Buxton, a local artist who has commissioned a historical painting at the Fort Pitt Museum before, is now going to work on a large dramatic piece on Fort Pitt and the American Revolution. Neil says it should be completed in about five years, just in time for the 250th anniversary of the historic event.
Donn Neil, President of Friends of the Fort Pitt Museum Commission, says it's a bittersweet occasion.
"It's sad that we're going to lose our association with the museum," he says. "Yet all of the contributions that we've made in the way of artifacts and documents are there, and we hope they remain there. And now this crowning gift of the wonderful John Buxton painting."
John Buxton, a local artist who has commissioned a historical painting at the Fort Pitt Museum before, is now going to work on a large dramatic piece on Fort Pitt and the American Revolution. Neil says it should be completed in about five years, just in time for the 250th anniversary of the historic event.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Fort Pitt Museum to Stay Open
The Fort Pitt Museum will remain open. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) Board today voted unanimously to keep the museum open and to seek a contract with the Heinz Regional History Center to operate the facility.
With state budget cuts, the commission had earlier decided to close Fort Pitt Museum in Pittsburgh and the Bushy Run Battlefield in Westmoreland County. Fort Pitt was built in 1754 when General John Forbes and Colonel George Washington led British troops that chased the French from the region during the French and Indian War.
Several organizations submitted proposals to keep Ft. Pitt Museum open including the group, Friends of the Fort Pitt Museum. Commission Board member State Senator Jim Ferlo says the "Friends" group would still be encouraged to play a role and that would be defined as a contract is drafted with the Heinz Regional History Center. The Center's President, Andy Masich, says he's delighted by the PHMC decision and it's "natural" because the Center was founded 130 years ago in time for the 125th anniversary of the French and Indian War.
Masich says their goal is to make Ft. Pitt Museum bigger and better and attract more people, especially students...."including some of the 50,000 students that visit the Heinz History Center each year."
Masich says he'd like to see ongoing archaeological work at the site because "there's still a lot of history underfoot" and an archaeology lab on the first floor of the museum in cooperation with a regional university.
Masich is hoping to erect a 36-foot tall garrison flag to fly over the fort and be lit 24 hours a day so it's the first thing motorists see coming through the Fort Pitt Tunnels. He says some parts of their 5 year plan can be done in time for the new school year and the G-20 Summit in September.
With state budget cuts, the commission had earlier decided to close Fort Pitt Museum in Pittsburgh and the Bushy Run Battlefield in Westmoreland County. Fort Pitt was built in 1754 when General John Forbes and Colonel George Washington led British troops that chased the French from the region during the French and Indian War.
Several organizations submitted proposals to keep Ft. Pitt Museum open including the group, Friends of the Fort Pitt Museum. Commission Board member State Senator Jim Ferlo says the "Friends" group would still be encouraged to play a role and that would be defined as a contract is drafted with the Heinz Regional History Center. The Center's President, Andy Masich, says he's delighted by the PHMC decision and it's "natural" because the Center was founded 130 years ago in time for the 125th anniversary of the French and Indian War.
Masich says their goal is to make Ft. Pitt Museum bigger and better and attract more people, especially students...."including some of the 50,000 students that visit the Heinz History Center each year."
Masich says he'd like to see ongoing archaeological work at the site because "there's still a lot of history underfoot" and an archaeology lab on the first floor of the museum in cooperation with a regional university.
Masich is hoping to erect a 36-foot tall garrison flag to fly over the fort and be lit 24 hours a day so it's the first thing motorists see coming through the Fort Pitt Tunnels. He says some parts of their 5 year plan can be done in time for the new school year and the G-20 Summit in September.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Fort Pitt's Fate to be Decided Shortly
Three non-profit organizations have been bidding for management of the Fort Pitt Museum after the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission (PHMC) deemed it fit for closure this spring. Senator John Heinz History Center, the Friends of Fort Pitt Museum (FFPM), and the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum all expressed interest in overseeing the beleaguered museum at previous PHMC meetings in Pittsburgh.
Now, the FFPM and the History Center have submitted formal proposals to the PHMC before the commission’s quarterly meeting on June 17th. Soldiers and Sailors has not done so, says PHMC Executive Director Barbara Franco.
Franco says the commission will look over the proposals, as well as the minutes from previous public meetings, in order to decide which direction in which to go. From there, says Franco, the PHMC will negotiate with the non-profit organization to work out the details of their management. Franco says the commission is looking mostly for long-term sustainability when choosing a management staff.
President Donn Neal of the FFPM says his group’s plan is best because it combines new ideas with an already experienced staff. He says his plan would market the museum aggressively and allow for private investment as well.
The History Center declined comment; Soldiers and Sailors could not be reached.
Now, the FFPM and the History Center have submitted formal proposals to the PHMC before the commission’s quarterly meeting on June 17th. Soldiers and Sailors has not done so, says PHMC Executive Director Barbara Franco.
Franco says the commission will look over the proposals, as well as the minutes from previous public meetings, in order to decide which direction in which to go. From there, says Franco, the PHMC will negotiate with the non-profit organization to work out the details of their management. Franco says the commission is looking mostly for long-term sustainability when choosing a management staff.
President Donn Neal of the FFPM says his group’s plan is best because it combines new ideas with an already experienced staff. He says his plan would market the museum aggressively and allow for private investment as well.
The History Center declined comment; Soldiers and Sailors could not be reached.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)