Pitcairn Historical Society

05/14/2026

05/14/2026

An Incredible Schoolhouse Discovery
Pitcairn Students of 1900

Pitcairn Friends, We've uncovered this incredible photo while going through some of our archive files...the student body of Pitcairn #1 Elementary School, dating back to around the year 1900!

If you look closely toward the back, you can see the teachers gathered on the porch of the "new" schoolhouse. What an absolute gem of a photograph and a remarkable glimpse into Pitcairn’s early history and the young faces who helped shape our community over 125 years ago.

Moments like this remind us why preserving local history is so important. We’re proud to share this special piece of the past with all of you!

If you enjoy uncovering local history like this, please like, comment, and share this post, and help support the Pitcairn Historical Society and the Pitcairn Schoolhouse renovation!

05/13/2026

229 Engine 2 is back in service as our reserve pumper after being loaned out to Level Green Vol. Fire Department Station 9 for a few months. We’re glad we were able to help our neighbors out while they needed a pumper. Thank you to Station 9 and their firefighters for taking care of it while they utilized it!

05/13/2026

The clock is ticking! While the NFL is in Pittsburgh to draft the future, we’re coming together this Saturday to honor a legend and support the next generation of Gateway students.

Whether you’re here for the Memorial Walk, the live music, or the legendary basket raffle, we’ve got a first-round lineup you won't want to miss.

📋 SATURDAY’S "GAME DAY" SCHEDULE

11:00 AM: Kickoff & Opening Ceremonies
🇺🇸Stories, Door Prizes, and the 2026 Scholarship Winners Awarded.
11:30 AM: The Memorial Walk
💙Walking together to honor Brandon’s legacy.
12:45 PM: Post-Walk Huddle
🤑50/50, Co****le Tournament starts, and Basket viewing.
1:00 PM: Live Music: Mike Filosemi
2:30 PM: Halftime: Dinner
🍽️A full dinner, plus more Raffles and 50/50 announcements.
3:30 PM: Live Music: Restless Ray
5:30 PM: The Final Pick
🪎All Baskets are pulled! You do not need to be present to win—just make sure your contact info is on your tickets!

05/12/2026

Pitcairn Friends,
WE WENT AND DONE IT AGAIN! 🍕
After the incredible success of our March fundraiser with Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, we’ve decided to once again team up for our 2nd delicious fundraising event! Please join us 10 days from now, on Thursday, May 21st at the Monroeville Miracle Mile location and come get your pizza and wings fix while supporting a great cause.
All proceeds will once again help fund the Pitcairn Historical Society and the ongoing Pitcairn Schoolhouse renovation project. Your support helps preserve our community’s history for future generations!

Just mention:
“We’re here for the Schoolhouse!”
to your server when ordering.

Please save the date, spread the word, and bring your friends and family. We truly couldn’t do it without you!

05/11/2026

THANK YOU to everyone who came out and supported our second Schoolhouse Burger Blast, and our very first one held at the Pitcairn Borough Building parking lot last Saturday! We had an incredible day, a fantastic turnout, and a whole lot of fun! We truly appreciate everyone who stopped by to grab a burger or dog, visit with friends, and support the Pitcairn Schoolhouse and Historical Society. Events like this are only possible because of the amazing support from our community, and we are so grateful to each and every one of you. We’ll be sure to let everyone know when the next Burger Blast is coming up.

Until then…
LET’S DO LUNCH AGAIN SOMETIME! 🍔😊

05/09/2026

🍔 LET’S DO LUNCH!!! 🍔

IT’S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW!
🏫 PITCAIRN SCHOOLHOUSE BURGER BLAST! 🏫

PITCAIRN BOROUGH BUILDING PARKING LOT
BROADWAY & BRINTON

IT’S HERE!
IT’S HOPPIN’!
COME JOIN THE FUN AND EAT UP!

🔥 Fresh burgers
🌭 Hot dogs
🎶 Great people
😊 Great cause

Come out, grab some lunch, and support the Pitcairn Schoolhouse!

05/07/2026

Pitcairn Friends,

In the photo, you’ll see our completed Phase One commemorative brick patio, finished last September.

Just 1 month to go!
This is a reminder that the deadline to order your commemorative brick for the Pitcairn Schoolhouse Phase 2 Brick Patio is quickly approaching. There’s still time to be part of this lasting tribute, but please get your order in soon so you don’t miss out!

Our deadline is June 6th in order for the Phase 2 patio to be completed by mid-September. Honor your family or a friend, celebrate a loved one, commemorate a class year, or simply show your support for the restoration of our historic Schoolhouse.

If you’d like to purchase a commemorative brick (or multiple bricks), simply click here:
https://www.theschoolhouse.net/contact

Then type in the message box:
“Please email me a Schoolhouse brick order form.”

Thank you to everyone who has already participated and helped support this important community project!

Pitcairn Proud!

04/30/2026

Pitcairn Friends, Just a reminder...We're 10 days away!
Let’s Do Lunch! 🍔
Join us for our 2nd Official Schoolhouse Burger Blast at our new location...the Pitcairn Borough Building parking lot! A big thank you to our borough officials for graciously allowing us to use the space.
📅 Saturday, May 9th
🕚 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Stop by for a delicious lunch, enjoy some great company, and help support the restoration of our beloved Schoolhouse.
Your support truly makes a difference!
Please share this post to spread the word.
Hope to see you there!

04/29/2026

The Pitcairn Hometown Hero Committee has asked the Pitcairn Historical Society to share the application for the Hometown Hero Banner Program, proudly sponsored by Brave Bean Coffee Company. Pitcairn Borough and Brave Bean take great pride in the men and women who have served our country. This program provides a meaningful opportunity to honor veterans and active-duty service members who currently reside, or have resided in Pitcairn. The 22" × 46½" two-sided banners will be proudly displayed along Broadway Boulevard from Memorial Day through Veterans Day. The cost for each banner is $100. If you have a hometown hero you would like to recognize, please consider participating in this special tribute.

For questions or to request an application, please contact Patrick Heaps at:
[email protected]

Applications can also be saved directly from this post.

PITCAIRN HOMETOWN HERO COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Patrick Heaps • Michael Castagnero • Cammeo Farally
Milo Speranzo • Arthur Trunzo • Michael Tobias

Thank you, and God Bless America!

04/25/2026

After the French and Indian War, George Washington stepped away from military life. In 1759, at age 26, he married Martha Dandridge Custis, elevated his social standing, and settled into life at Mount Vernon. For a time, it seemed his frontier days were behind him. But twelve years later, in October 1770, five years before the American Revolutionary War, Washington returned west to the “Forks of the Ohio” (present-day Pittsburgh) with a purpose. On his fifth of seven trips to the region, he undertook a nine-week expedition into the Ohio River Valley, accompanied by his close friend and physician, James Craik, and several scouts. Acting on behalf of fellow veterans and pursuing his own land interests, Washington set out to survey western lands promised by the British.

Then comes the key detail....in his journal, Washington recorded dining at Widow Miers’ home along Turtle Creek on October 17, and likely passed through again on his return on November 23. That places him squarely in the Turtle Creek Valley. Given the rugged terrain and lack of developed roads south of the creek, it’s unlikely he detoured over the surrounding hills. The most practical route would have followed the valley itself, along the Bouquet Cut, a diversion from the Forbes Road through what are now Trafford, Monroeville, Wilmerding, Turtle Creek… and Pitcairn. This wasn’t just a convenient short-cut, it was established. After the Battle of Bushy Run, Henry Bouquet led troops along this very corridor, creating a direct link between Bushy Run and Turtle Creek. By 1770, it had become a natural route of travel. Washington’s own words support it. In his journal, he described “exceedingly fine land… especially from Sewickley Creek to Turtle Creek”, a path that aligns with the valley, not Braddock Expedition routes, which required multiple river crossings he likely avoided due to high water.

So what’s the conclusion? No marker. No monument. But history points to a remarkable possibility. We can’t say with absolute certainty, but the evidence strongly suggests that at age 38, George Washington… the father of our country was here, in Pitcairn....twice!

Interested in learning more?
https://pitcairnborough.us/index.php/about-us/pitcairn-history

If you enjoy uncovering local history like this, please like, comment, and share this post, and help support the Pitcairn Historical Society and the Pitcairn Schoolhouse renovation!