Wednesday, October 6, 2021 marked the 175th anniversary of the birth of George Westinghouse Jr., who arguably had a greater influence on the course of history and industry than any person who ever called Pittsburgh home.
In observation of his “dodrensbicentennial,” efforts are underway to restore Westinghouse Park in Pittsburgh’s East End.
Formerly Solitude, the Pittsburgh estate of George and Marguerite Westinghouse, the 10.2 acre site has been a Pittsburgh public park since 1919. The Westinghouse Park 2nd Century Coalition has organized to provide stewardship for the park and honor the legacy of George Westinghouse.
To prepare for its second century, a comprehensive, master development plan for the park’s rejuvenation is under way. It will include a multi-year, archeological exploration of the site, which has been certified as eligible for listing on the National Registry of Historic Places.
Beyond Westinghouse Park itself, a broader effort is remembering and honoring the life, accomplishments, impacts, and legacies of the remarkable man after whom the park is named.
We call it Westinghouse 175. The celebration has included:
The Current War
- Last June, Pittsburgh’s Quantum Theatre staged the world premiere of this charming musical by Pittsburgher Michael Mitnick, who also wrote the screenplay for the movie of the same name. It revisits the epic AC/DC competition between George Westinghouse and Thomas Edison to establish electricity around the world. Produced under a large, white, Covid-conscious tent in Westinghouse Park, The Current War ran to glowing reviews, and all 25 performances were sold out before opening night.
Westinghouse Park Arboretum
Westinghouse Park’s 180 trees comprise a fine collection representing 35 different species. At a public gathering on the afternoon of Wednesday, Oct 6, Mayor William Peduto dedicated The Westinghouse Park Arboretum as a member of the ArbNet, the Morton Registry of Arboreta. In addition, a pair of new trees, Brackens Brown Beauty magnolias, were planted to honor George and Marguerite Westinghouse.
What’s the .5 K Race
On Saturday, October 9th, Westinghouse Park was the scene for the third running of this multi-heat, fun-filled frolic which covers just 545 yards. Organized by Fireman Creative and supported by volunteers from Westinghouse SURE, the event attracted more than 200 participants, ranging in age from 3 to 93. Great fun was had and proceeds help benefit the park.
George Westinghouse – Powering the World
Dr. William Huber has written a new biography of George Westinghouse which will be published by McFarland Press this Fall. The most comprehensive and comprehensible biography of Westinghouse ever written, it will be available on Amazon and other booksellers.
Media Coverage
In addition to the Current War reviews listed above, Westinghouse 175 and the park have received lots of attention, inmaddition to the Current Westinghouse 175
Shady Avenue magazine ran two articles in its fall edition: An Unpolished Gem and The Not So Great Race.
The Doors Open Pittsburgh published a feature about George Westinghouse
KDKA TV coverage of the Arboretum dedication:
The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy produced an excellent podcast: George Westinghouse: The Man, The Park, the Pond
We also took part in Construction Junction’s annual BIG POUR, on Saturday, October 16.
George Westinghouse was the subject to two segments on Our Region’s Business which aired on WPXI Channel 11 on November 28.
Westinghouse 175 will continue, especially as developments in the park evolve.
For more information or to support our effort, please use the form below or contact link at the top of this page.
Thanks for your continuing interest in Westinghouse Park, George Westinghouse and Westinghouse 175.
westinghousepark.org 