Preservation Opportunities & Awards
Innovation through Preservation: Exploring the Ties Between Historic Preservation and Sustainable Design
Join us at the Landmarks Preservation Resource Center for our ongoing programs on house restoration, architecture, history and other aspects of historic preservation, community development, and urban planning.
Location: Strada Architecture, 611 William Penn Place, #700
Date: Thursday, April 6th
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Pittsburgh is home to many of the greenest and most self-sustaining buildings in the United States. However, what many fail to realize is that, often times, the greenest building is one that has already been built and that retrofitting existing structures is an immensely under-utilized method of steering a city in the direction of increased sustainability.
Join Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation (PHLF) and the Green Building Alliance (GBA) for an evening in which we discuss this complex and nuanced relationship between historic preservation and green building practices and principles. This event will feature speakers who will offer perspectives that relate to historic and cultural preservation, green building and design.
Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served.
PHLF and GBA members: $15
Non-members: $25
Students: $10
Tickets are available online or by phone at (412) 773-6006.
Check out http://phlf.org/events/ for more PHLF tours and events.
PAST TENSE | FUTURE PERFECT: Preservation Event on Friday, March 24th at 7:00 pm
PAST TENSE | FUTURE PERFECT: Identifying Community Preservation Needs in Two Pittsburgh Neighborhoods on Friday, March 24th, 7:00 pm
How do we shape the future of our historic resources in East Liberty and the Northside, two neighborhoods significantly and irreversibly impacted by Mid-Twentieth Century Urban Renewal? Are the vestiges of Urban Renewal worth preserving? How do we protect our communities and their identities?
The Boards of Preservation Pittsburgh and the East Liberty Valley Historical Society, along with moderator Don Carter, FAIA, FAICP, LEED AP, invite you to participate in the discussion of these issues and more.
This event takes place at the East Liberty Presbyterian Church (116 S Highland Avenue) and is free of charge.
Casting Call for Vintage Homes in the Pittsburgh Area
The DIY Network is calling all homeowners with homes built before 1950. If you have a renovation project in the works, our professional team can help make it happen. We’re searching in the greater Pittsburgh area for couples and families that would like to complete a home renovation project before May or June 2017. Homeowners should already have the possible project mainly financed on their own. DIY Network will bring in experts to help with planning, work and budget. Please email your names, ages, contact info, a brief description of your project and photos of your home’s exterior, interior project and a recent family photo to laurenhoustoncasting@gmail.com. Interested applicants should respond ASAP.
Preservation Summit Being Hosted on
The Young Preservationists Association (YPA) will host Saving Sacred Places: A Preservation Summit on Thursday, March 23rd from 6:00-8:00 pm at The Priory (614 Pressley Street). Representatives from Partners for Sacred Places of Philadelphia, The Steeples Project of Johnstown, Preservation Pittsburgh, and more will be on hand to discuss and brainstorm solutions for abandoned and neglected churches. Suggested donation: $5 at the door.
For more information, visit youngpreservationists.org.
PHLF: Remodeling for First Time Home Owners
Join us at the Landmarks Preservation Resource Center for our ongoing programs on house restoration, architecture, history, and other aspects of historic preservation, community development, and urban planning.
Location: Landmarks Preservation Resource Center, 744 Rebecca Avenue
Date: Thursday, February 23rd
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Contact: marylu@phlf.org or (412) 471-5808 ext. 527
Join us for a workshop on how to plan a construction project in your home from concept through design and planning, to construction. This workshop will give you an overview of the general phases of a construction project; what to measure and what to expect.
About the Presenter
Ian Miller has been a general contractor since 2003, with projects ranging from changing a doorknob to building a $1.5 million house for 15 retired nuns. He is the owner of Zambano & Sons, a residential remodeling company, as well as partner in the HL2M Group, a design/build firm focused primarily on modular and shipping container construction. Ian and his family live in a 100-year-old house in Friendship.
All lectures are free to PHLF members. Non-members: $10
RSVPs are appreciated: marylu@phlf.org or (412) 471-5808 ext. 527
Check out http://phlf.org/events/ for more PHLF tours and events.
Show Some Love with the Young Preservationists
Saturday, February 11th
Crafting: 10-11:30 am | 700 River Avenue
Installation: 12-2:00 pm | Wilkinsburg Train Station
Join YPA and friends to install heart bombs at historic sites in the Borough of Wilkinsburg. We’ll be braving the cold yet again to warm up some of our favorite regional preservation opportunities with some well-deserved love. This will be a one-day meetup of preservation-related crafting, exploration, discussion and advocacy. Meet YPA members and board at the Riverside Center for Innovation 1st Floor Conference Room at 10:00 am to craft signs of love for Wilkinsburg’s historic buildings. Then head to the Wilkinsburg Train Station (1001 Wood Street) at 12:00 noon to start the installation. Afterwards we’ll warm up at Nancy’s Diner nearby.
Heart Bomb sites scheduled for Saturday:
Wilkinsburg Train Station (1001 Wood Street)
Lohr Building (725 Wood Street)
Hunter Building (623 Penn Avenue)
PHLF: Exterior Woodwork Maintenance and Repair
Join us at the Landmarks Preservation Resource Center for our ongoing programs on house restoration, architecture, history, and other aspects of historic preservation, community development, and urban planning.
Location: Landmarks Preservation Resource Center, 744 Rebecca Avenue
Date: Thursday, February 16th
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Contact: marylu@phlf.org or (412) 471-5808 ext. 527
In this workshop, we focus on how to maintain and repair the exterior woodwork of your house, and also discuss which products and techniques are best to use for such a house project.
About the Presenter
Regis Will is a woodworker, craftsman, and owner of Vesta Home Services, a consulting firm on house restoration and Do-it-Yourself projects. He blogs about his work at The New Yinzer Workshop.
All lectures are free to PHLF members. Non-members: $10
RSVPs are appreciated: marylu@phlf.org or (412) 471-5808 ext. 527
Check out http://phlf.org/events/ for more PHLF tours and events.
PHLF: Modern Retrofits for Old Houses
Join us at the Landmarks Preservation Resource Center for our ongoing programs on house restoration, architecture, history, and other aspects of historic preservation, community development, and urban planning.
Location: Landmarks Preservation Resource Center, 744 Rebecca Avenue
Date: Thursday, January 19th
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Contact: marylu@phlf.org or (412) 471-5808 ext. 527
This workshop will focus on discussion of the various house restoration items on the market that can be used to update the convenience of an older house while preserving its character and style. We will touch on topics like air conditioning, plumbing fixtures, doors and windows and kitchens.
About the Presenter
Regis Will is a woodworker, craftsman, and owner of Vesta Home Services, a consulting firm on house restoration and Do-it-Yourself projects. He blogs about his work at The New Yinzer Workshop.
All lectures are free to PHLF members. Non-members: $10
RSVPs are appreciated: marylu@phlf.org or (412) 471-5808 ext. 527
Check out http://phlf.org/events/ for more PHLF tours and events.
PHLF: Researching Your House History
Do you live in an old house? Ever wondered about the people who built it, and the lives that unfolded there before you? Find out about the people who influenced the spaces in which your life takes place, and discover how your house fits within the history and evolution of the surrounding neighborhood and the city.
Location: Landmarks Preservation Resource Center, 744 Rebecca Avenue
Date: Thursday June 9th
Time: 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Contact: marylu@phlf.org or (412) 471-5808 ext. 527
In this lecture, Kelley Stroup will discuss methods and sources that can be used to discover both the construction and personal history of a house. Included will be discussion of chain of title, historical documents and directories, maps, and public records searches, which help people tell the stories of their houses.
About the Presenter
Kelley Stroup is the founder and principal of House/Story, a historical research firm that specializes in chronicling house histories. Long fascinated by history and the built environment, Kelley nurtured her love of architecture and history in college, and received her BA in historic preservation from Mary Washington College. She also holds an MA in historic preservation and an MFA in architectural history from the Savannah College of Art and Design.
This lecture is free to PHLF members. Non-members: $5
RSVPs are appreciated: marylu@phlf.org or (412) 471-5808 ext. 527
Check out http://phlf.org/events/ for more PHLF tours and events.
2016 Allegheny West Preservation Awards
Submitted by Carole Malakoff
The Allegheny West Civic Council, along with The Allegheny West Local Review Committee, announces the 8th Annual Allegheny West Preservation Awards. These awards are presented to property owners in Allegheny West who have completed projects over the past year, retaining or restoring appropriate elements of historic character and adhering to the neighborhood guidelines.The success of these projects was attained by doing research, creating well thought-out plans, following neighborhood historic guidelines, and working with the neighborhood LRC and the city HRC to seek advice on the application process and guidelines.
The 2016 Awards Recipients
705 Brighton Road, The Willock House
Owner: Q Development
This is an extensive restoration of both the interior and exterior, as well as the hardscape and landscaping around the building. The exterior work included masonry cleaning and repair to the foundation, the front steps, porch, and chimneys; reconstruction of the copper gutters and cornices; installation of new double-hung wood windows; refinishing of the exterior wood trim; installation of a new front door; and replacing sections of the roof. All of this work was planned to meet The Allegheny West Historic Guidelines and the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards. This project is an example of the highest quality of historic restoration. We are very pleased and proud to have it in our neighborhood.
827 N Lincoln Avenue
Owner: Ivor Hill
This developer worked with the LRC and the HRC over a period of a year to achieve a new porch design that reflects the historic character of this 19th century house. The final design is a porch that spans the entire front elevation of the house, with architectural elements that reflect the original: wood balustrades and railing, massive columns with decorative trim, and front stairs with an iron railing. This renovation greatly enhances the streetface of the 800 block of North Lincoln Avenue.
West Hall
Owner: Community College of Allegheny County
Work is being completed on West Hall, on the 800 block of Ridge Avenue. Representatives of CCAC met with both the LRC and AWCC several times over the last two years, initially discussing the historic appropriateness of the project and then keeping us updated on its progress. This project included brick and stone cleaning, installation of new windows, elimination of several window louvers and moving others to make them less obvious; pouring a new aggregate sidewalk; installing new front doors while retaining the original entrance design, and screening the loading dock in the rear. This well-planned project is an example of the neighborhood and the college working together for a common cause: the preservation of our historic structures.
These three projects greatly add to the historic ambience of the neighborhood streets, contribute to the economic development of our neighborhood, and enhance the quality of life in Allegheny West. To celebrate Preservation Month, the awards will be presented at the Membership Meeting of the Allegheny West Civic Council on Tuesday, May 10 at 7:30 pm at Calvary United Methodist Church, on the corner of Beech and Allegheny Avenues.