Cultural District, Pittsburgh facts for kids
The Cultural District is a special part of Downtown Pittsburgh. It's about fourteen city blocks big and is bordered by the Allegheny River to the north, Tenth Street to the east, Stanwix Street to the west, and Liberty Avenue to the south.
This area is full of fun things to do! It has six theaters that put on about 1,500 shows every year. You can also find art galleries, restaurants, and shops here. Some famous places in the Cultural District include Allegheny Riverfront Park, the Benedum Center, the Byham Theater, the Harris Theater, Heinz Hall, the O'Reilly Theater, the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School, and the August Wilson Center for African American Culture.
Many big arts groups call this district home, like the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Pittsburgh Public Theater, and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
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How the Cultural District Started
The idea for the Cultural District came from a man named H. J. Heinz II, who was known as Jack Heinz. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust was created in 1984 to help make Jack's dream come true. He wanted to turn blocks of the Penn–Liberty Avenue area, which was not in good shape at the time, into a lively cultural center.
Heinz Hall: From Movie Palace to Concert Hall
One of the first big changes in the district was turning an old movie theater into Heinz Hall. This building was first called the Loew's and United Artists' Penn Theatre. It was finished in 1927. A movie business leader named Marcus Loew hired architects to design this grand "movie palace." The main lobby was very impressive, with a tall ceiling, large columns, a marble staircase, and fancy chandeliers.
Like many old movie theaters from the 1920s, the Loew's Penn Theatre faced tough times in the 1960s. More people were watching TV or going to new theaters in the suburbs. It also cost a lot to keep the old building running. The theater closed in 1964 and was planned to be torn down.
But Jack Heinz and others, including his son John Heinz (who became a US Senator), stepped in. They bought the theater to save it and create a new home for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. After a full restoration, this beautiful concert hall reopened in 1971 as the new Heinz Hall. It can now seat 2,676 people. The Pittsburgh Symphony Society owns and runs Heinz Hall.
The Benedum Center: A Grand Transformation
The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust's first major project was restoring another amazing former movie palace, the Stanley Theater. The Stanley Theater opened on February 27, 1928. It was the biggest theater in Western Pennsylvania and was known as "Pittsburgh's Palace of Amusement."
After a huge $43 million restoration, the theater looked as grand as it did when it first opened. It reopened in 1987 as the Benedum Center for the Performing Arts. Today, it can host about 2,885 people. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust owns and operates the Benedum Center.
The Byham Theater: A Century of Entertainment
The Byham Theater is another important building in Downtown Pittsburgh. It was the second major theater that the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust restored. Built in 1903, it was first called the Gayety Theater. It was a place for live stage shows and Vaudeville acts, featuring famous stars like Ethel Barrymore.
In the 1930s, it became a full-time movie theater and was renamed The Fulton. In 1990, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust bought the theater. They refurbished it as part of their plan for the Cultural District. In 1995, the Byham family of Pittsburgh made a large donation, and the theater was renamed the Byham Theater. It can now seat 1,300 people and is owned and operated by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.
The Cultural District Today
Today, this 14-block area continues to grow and become a lively arts and living neighborhood. It has more than fourteen arts venues, including the Pittsburgh Creative and Performing Arts School, public parks, and new businesses. The Pittsburgh Cultural Trust works to improve the area by fixing up streets, restoring building fronts, creating new cultural places, and adding public art.
Many people praise the Cultural District's transformation. It is seen as a great example of how art can help rebuild a city. The Cultural District is also home to the Pittsburgh Film Office. This group helps bring movie, TV, and commercial productions to the Pittsburgh area. Since 1990, they have helped over 102 films and TV shows come to southwestern Pennsylvania, bringing in more than $575 million for the region.
Theaters in the Cultural District
- Benedum Center (formerly the Stanley Theater)
- Byham Theater (formerly the Gayety Theater, then the Fulton Theater)
- Harris Theater (formerly Art Cinema)
- Heinz Hall (formerly Loew's Penn Theater)
- O'Reilly Theater (built in 1999)
- The August Wilson Center for African American Culture
- The Cabaret at Theatre Square
- Bricolage Production Company
- Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company
Visual Arts in the Cultural District
- Wood Street Galleries
- Future Tenant
- SPACE
- 707-709 Penn Galleries
- Watercolors Gallery
- ToonSeum
See also
- Theatre in Pittsburgh
