Culture Archives - Pittsburgh Quarterly

In 1947, filled with courage, skill and determination, Jackie Robinson changed history by becoming the first African American player in the major leagues. But how did this happen? Who thought of this idea for great social change? The answer comes from a man named Branch Rickey, the general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers — and …

A Man Named Branch: A Great-Grandniece Remembers Branch Rickey Read More »

Opinion Pittsburgh Tomorrow

All Aboard! The Burgh Train’s on the Move

by Douglas Heuck

After all the success of the NFL Draft, many Pittsburghers wanted to keep the momentum going. And it is. For the past year, Pittsburgh Tomorrow has sought to coalesce a dozen disparate economic development groups, each with its own conference and small pitch competition, into one big conference with the mass and gravity to attract …

All Aboard! The Burgh Train’s on the Move Read More »

Books

Coming of Age in Sewickley: Girls — Anna Bruno Captures the Search for Truth in Fine Young People

by Fred Shaw

If there were a writing recipe for Anna Bruno’s successful coming-of-age novel, Fine Young People (Algonquin Books, $29), it might go something like this: Start with Sewickley, that quaint, upper-class enclave 12 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, as a backdrop. Next, combine a plucky young protagonist with the keys to finding the answers she’s looking for …

Coming of Age in Sewickley: Girls — Anna Bruno Captures the Search for Truth in Fine Young People Read More »

Arts Nonprofits

World-class Creatives Team up Sept. 18 to Celebrate Pittsburgh’s Future

by PQ Staff

An inaugural weeklong Pittsburgh exhibition including the “StartUP PGH” innovation conference and the first-ever Pittsburgh Homecoming crescendos Sept. 18 with an epic, future-themed event: “Pittsburgh Tomorrow, A City on the Rise,” featuring interactive installations by 20 Pittsburgh creatives including Oscar-winner Brendan Burch, world-renowned experiential artist Johannes DeYoung, Attack Theatre founders and artistic directors Michele de …

World-class Creatives Team up Sept. 18 to Celebrate Pittsburgh’s Future Read More »

Books

Coming of Age in Sewickley: Boys — Former Point Park Professor Looks at How to be a Man

by Fred Shaw

In his debut novel, City of Clans, University of Pittsburgh master of fine arts grad and former Point Park professor Geoff Peck uses Pittsburgh’s 2009 G-20 summit as a tonal backdrop for a millennial coming-of-age tale. We get the first-person scoop from Jeremy “Big Jerm” Starcevic, a recent Sewickley Academy graduate who moves in with …

Coming of Age in Sewickley: Boys — Former Point Park Professor Looks at How to be a Man Read More »

Arts

No One Claps For The Critic

by Stuart Sheppard

“We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.” — Lincoln, First Inaugural Address (1861) I have always felt that the sentence most essential to democracy — and to free expression — is the 1906 quote, often attributed to Voltaire, but …

No One Claps For The Critic Read More »

Culture Opinion

What Does America Mean to Me? Pt. III

by PQ Staff

On the eve of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, we asked a group of leading Pittsburghers to consider and answer that question. We thank them for giving their thoughts on this important occasion. Previously in this series: What Does America Mean to Me? Pt. II MARY FINGER, PRESIDENT, SETON HILL …

What Does America Mean to Me? Pt. III Read More »

Creative Capital Money Opinion

What’s Ahead in the Second Half for Markets? Pt. III

by PQ Staff

Editor’s note: We asked a group of leading Pittsburgh-area wealth managers to give their answers to this question: “So far, 2026 has been treacherous for investors. What do you expect for the second half and where do you see opportunity?” Previously in this series: What’s Ahead in the Second Half for Markets? Pt. II MATTHEW …

What’s Ahead in the Second Half for Markets? Pt. III Read More »

Arts

Kinetic’s “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” Has All the Clues

by Stuart Sheppard

We could just as well discuss the historical influence of Agatha Christie’s 1926 novel “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd,” as we could its mechanistic genius as a whodunnit. The British Crime Writer’s Association voted it the best crime novel ever, and it’s been cited by famous writers over the past century for its innovative style; …

Kinetic’s “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” Has All the Clues Read More »

Opinion

In 1918–19 in Zurich, Switzerland, English painter Frank Budgen found himself often drinking wine while enjoying long talks about writing with James Joyce, author of the controversial novel Ulysses. It was during one of those discussions that the self-exiled Irish writer shared his vision on getting the detailed setting of that masterpiece right: “I want …

Glasco’s Biography Examines August Wilson’s Pittsburgh Origins and Voice Read More »

Creative Capital Money Opinion

What’s Ahead in the Second Half for Markets?

by PQ Staff

Editor’s note: We asked a group of leading Pittsburgh-area wealth managers to give their answers to this question: “So far, 2026 has been treacherous for investors. What do you expect for the second half and where do you see opportunity?” DAMIAN MCINTYRE, FEDERATED HERMES Investor outlook in 2026 has been shaken repeatedly by conflicts and …

What’s Ahead in the Second Half for Markets? Read More »

American Spirit Opinion

What Does America Mean to Me?

by PQ Staff

On the eve of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, we asked a group of leading Pittsburghers to consider and answer that question. We thank them for giving their thoughts on this important occasion. MARK WIEDMAN, PRESIDENT, PNC America represents the promise that where you start doesn’t have to define where …

What Does America Mean to Me? Read More »

Arts Culture

Steel Valley Visions: An American Legacy

by Erica Nuckles & Silvia Filippini-Fantoni

Throughout western Pennsylvania’s big steel era, artists captured a compelling visual record of the industry’s rise and fall: grit and glory, power and peril, beauty and brutality. At its height, the region’s three rivers reflected the brightness of fire and molten metal, and thick smoke filled the air. This was a place where muscle met …

Steel Valley Visions: An American Legacy Read More »

History Regional News

The Future of Pittsburgh History

by Andy Masich

As the nation marks its 250th anniversary this year, the importance of understanding our shared past has never been clearer. Here in Pittsburgh, that moment of reflection is taking shape in a tangible way, as the Senator John Heinz History Center is set to embark on a major expansion that reflects the organization’s remarkable evolution …

The Future of Pittsburgh History Read More »

Arts

Kinetic’s “Henry Johnson” Asks Visceral Questions With No Easy Answers

by Stuart Sheppard

If you remember the scene in David Mamet’s “Glengarry Glen Ross” when Al Pacino’s character bamboozles some poor sap in a bar with a stream of grandiloquent bullshit, and sells him on a worthless real estate investment, then you have a good idea what his new play (presented by Kinetic Theatre, in only its third …

Kinetic’s “Henry Johnson” Asks Visceral Questions With No Easy Answers Read More »

Opinion Travel

A Crowning Achievement

by Betsy Deiseroth

It’s hard to escape Pittsburgh. Everywhere I go it’s always there, in one way or another. The Statue of Liberty is no exception. At the behest of my 7-year-old grandson, Henry, we booked a visit to climb to her crown. Since the bookings must be made six months in advance, due to her popularity, and …

A Crowning Achievement Read More »

American Spirit History

Pittsburgh’s Story Is America’s Story

by Beth Marcello

Flag Sojourn: America 250 Will Commemorate Western Pennsylvania’s Role in the American Revolution, Industrial Revolution and Technology Revolution, Marking the Nation’s 250th Birthday Here’s a bold statement to ponder as Americans prepare to celebrate the 250th birthday of the country’s declaration of independence from the British on July 4, 2026: Without Pittsburgh, maybe there’s no …

Pittsburgh’s Story Is America’s Story Read More »

PQ Poem

Creekside

by Rikki Santer

Creekside Your sadness is not mine to possess but yesterday afternoon you agreed to walk with me into our nearby metro park. In the sunshine we were fellow adventurers in awe of conventions of gray-headed coneflowers and bees dancing over pink billy buttons. Our back and forth talk mostly light and warm but then twice …

Creekside Read More »

History Travel

Where It All Began

by Barbara Eichenlaub

What better place to celebrate our nation’s 250th anniversary than Philadelphia? And, just as Pittsburgh beautified for the NFL Draft, our eastern neighbor did the same to prepare for its influx of visitors. Given all the sites and activities surrounding our country’s founding, weekends are sure to be busy, so consider a midweek visit, including …

Where It All Began Read More »

American Spirit Culture

Steel City Sparks

by Samuel Peters

Every July Fourth, as the last light fades behind the hills that cup this city on three sides, something old and immigrant-born rises above the rivers. The barges are already in position a mile below the Point, loaded and wired and waiting. At 9:35 p.m., the first shell breaks open above the Ohio, and for …

Steel City Sparks Read More »