SAH Field Trip Grant Supports Virtual Tours of African American Landmarks for Students in Pittsburgh

by Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation | Jun 30, 2021

student digital art of the National Negro Opera House and Crawford Grill No. 2

Republished with permission from phlf.org.


In February 2021, the Society of Architectural Historians awarded our organization [the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation] an American Architecture and Landscape Field Trip Grant for a new educational program, “A Legacy in Stone & Song.”

The grant leveraged additional funding support from the McSwigan Family Foundation Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation, and the Gailliot Family Foundation, which will enable the program to continue into the 2021-22 academic year. This spring, students from the Westinghouse and Faison Pittsburgh Public Schools had the opportunity to virtually explore the architecture and history of the National Negro Opera House in their Homewood neighborhood, as well as three other sites of significance in Pittsburgh’s African American history: the New Granada Theater, Crawford Grill No. 2, and August Wilson House.

Through a video field trip narrated by Sarah Greenwald, PHLF’s co-director of education, and knowledgeable community representatives, the story of each of these places came alive for students. After watching the video, students began working with their teachers, area artists, and musicians to complete a classroom-based creative project inspired by the history and culture embedded in these landmarks.

Their work will continue into the next academic year when students will have more time and resources to add their artistic voices to those who have made these historic places so important to Pittsburgh’s African American legacy.

“I am incredibly grateful to our funders and educators who have gone above and beyond supporting us while we work to enrich student learning during an incredibly difficult academic year. I look forward to continuing our collaboration with these students and educators,” said Sarah.




Founded in 1940, the Society of Architectural Historians is an international nonprofit membership organization that promotes the study, interpretation and conservation of architecture, design, landscapes and urbanism worldwide. SAH serves a network of local, national and international institutions and individuals who, by profession or interest, focus on the built environment and its role in shaping contemporary life. SAH promotes meaningful public engagement with the history of the built environment through advocacy efforts, print and online publications, and local, national and international programs.
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SAH thanks The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation
for its operating support.
Society of Architectural Historians
1365 N. Astor Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610
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