Pittsburgh has a long military history and its residents continue to understand the importance of keeping history alive for future generations.
Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum
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| Photo Credit: Colleen O’Laughlin, WPGS Publications Chairperson |
During the Civil War, Pittsburgh’s industries and residents were vital to the Union Army. In the 1890s the Grand Army of the Republic, a service organization of Union Civil War Veterans, wanted a permanent place to commemorate the military service and sacrifice by local veterans of Allegheny County and the idea of for Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum began to take shape.
The massive building based on the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus in Asia Minor was completed in 1910. It is located in the Oakland neighborhood of the city and sits adjacent to the University of Pittsburgh. Soldiers and Sailors is the United States’ only memorial that is dedicated to honoring those who served in all branches and capacities of military service.
For more than one hundred years, Soldiers and Sailors has collected personal mementos and artifacts from veterans and their families to help illustrate the experiences of the veterans from the Civil War all the way to today’s conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. As you walk through the four halls of the museum, visitors will see uniforms, military equipment, artillery, and personal items. The museum halls feature large bronze plaques that contain the names, regiments, companies, and muster dates of 25,000 men from Allegheny County who served in the Union Army during the Civil War.
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| Photo Credit: Colleen O’Laughlin, WPGS Publications Chairperson |
The front lawn and the walkway of Soldiers and Sailors features cannons, cannonballs, and a torpedo. Two large bronze statues of a soldier and a sailor stand guard at either side of the main entrance to the building.
4141 Fifth Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Hours of Operation: Monday – Saturday, 10am – 4pm
USS Requin Submarine
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| Photo Credit: Colleen O’Laughlin, WPGS Publications Chairperson |
There is another Pittsburgh museum dedicated to military service. The USS Requin submarine has been moored along the north shore of the Ohio River as part of the Carnegie Science Center since 1990. Visitors have permission to go below to tour sections of the Cold War-era submarine and see how 80 sailors lived and worked under the high seas.
USS Requin Submarine
Carnegie Science Center
One Allegheny Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Open daily (weather and river conditions permitting)
10 am – 4:30 pm
These remarkable museums allow visitors to gain a new perspective on history. Being able to see just a glimpse into the experiences of our veterans will bring a new understanding of their sacrifice and patriotism.
- guest post by Colleen O’Laughlin, WPGS Publications Chairperson
