2026 Summer Archives - Pittsburgh Quarterly

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 …

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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 …

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Creative Capital Money Opinion

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

by PQ Staff

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Books

Glasco’s Biography Examines August Wilson’s Pittsburgh Origins and Voice

by Fred Shaw

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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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Nature

Restoring Nature on Historic Grounds

by Thomas Saunders

Just outside the city of Jeannette, in Westmoreland County, about a 45-minute drive east of Pittsburgh, is a new preserve of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy called Oakford Park Nature Reserve. Oakford Park was historically a “trolley park,” where people could enjoy picnicking, swimming and amusement park attractions. It opened in 1896 and operated until 1938, …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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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 …

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Sports Sports & Outdoors

“Hey, Kraut Head: I’m Comin'”

by Richard “Pete” Peterson

In a 1944 interview with Chet Smith, the long-time sports editor of The Pittsburgh Press, Honus Wagner was asked to name his greatest day in baseball. Wagner went back to the final game of the 1909 World Series between the Pirates and the Detroit Tigers and the moment that Ty Cobb, leading off first base, …

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Birds

The Striking Hooded Warbler

by David Liebmann

A chorus begins at the cusp of dawn. Song builds around us, sunrise revealing birds competing for breeding territories or vying over mates. Step out into the garden, and you’ll hear them by the pond or just beyond the exedra wall. Walk in the woods, and you’ll find them there, too. While the season may …

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Nature

The Springhouse

by Daryln Brewer Hoffstot

I love outbuildings: springhouses, woodsheds, barns, cottages, tractor sheds. I’d have more if I could — a tool shed, a sugar house, a summer kitchen, a cider house. We have a small wooden building we call a goat shed because once we housed goats there. When the children were young, I wanted to convert a …

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Opinion

The State of Pittsburgh

by Douglas Heuck

In the Summer of 2023 issue, I wrote a column entitled “Wake Up! It’s Time to Save Downtown Pittsburgh.” At the time, people were justifiably hesitant to come Downtown. Now, three years later, as anyone who attended the NFL Draft will attest, Downtown’s transformation is sensational. The Draft brought excitement and vitality to our city …

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