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List of Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmarks facts for kids

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The Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation (PHLF) started a special program in 1968. Its goal was to find and celebrate important buildings and places in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. These places are chosen because they are beautiful, unique, or have a big story to tell about Pittsburgh's past.

When a place is nominated, a group of experts, including historians and community members, carefully reviews it. If it's chosen, the building usually gets a special metal plaque on the outside. This plaque shows everyone that the building is a recognized historic landmark!

What is the PHLF Plaque Program?

The PHLF plaque program is like a special award for buildings and places. It helps people learn about the history and amazing architecture of the Pittsburgh area. Since it started, over 500 places have received these plaques.

How Places Are Chosen

To become a PHLF Historic Landmark, a building or place needs to be nominated. This means someone suggests it because they think it's important. Then, a committee of experts looks at the nomination. They check if the place has a special design, a rich history, or is important to the local community.

In 2010, the program grew! It started looking at places up to 250 miles away from Pittsburgh. But there's a catch: these places still need to have a connection to the greater Pittsburgh region.

What the Plaque Means

Getting a PHLF plaque is a big honor! It means the building or place is recognized for its historical or architectural value. However, it's important to know that this plaque doesn't stop anyone from changing or even tearing down the building. It's more about celebrating its importance and helping people appreciate it.

These plaques are different from other historic designations, like those given by the City of Pittsburgh. The PHLF program focuses on highlighting the unique stories and designs of places across the region.

Examples of Landmarks

Many different kinds of places have received PHLF plaques. They include homes, churches, schools, bridges, and even parks! Each one tells a part of the Pittsburgh story.

For example, the beautiful Allegheny County Courthouse in Downtown Pittsburgh received a plaque in 1968. It was designed by a famous architect named Henry Hobson Richardson. Another example is the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh in Oakland, which got its plaque in 1970. This library was a gift from Andrew Carnegie and is a very important place for learning.

Bridges are also recognized, like the Smithfield Street Bridge, which received a plaque in 1970. It's one of the oldest and most interesting bridges in the city. Even parts of parks, like Schenley Park, have been recognized for their historical importance.

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List of Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation Historic Landmarks Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.