Soldiers & Sailors recognizes those fallen service members from the War on Terrorism with this display of 7,053 dog tags suspended between the light posts across the walkway leading to the building for visitors to pass under.
Each dog tag represents an individual life lost in the conflicts since September 11, 2001.
Included are 304 special flag dog tags specifically representing each individual from Pennsylvania.
The open-air memorial is free to visit and open 24 hours a day now through October 11th.
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum
Spotlight On:
The History of Soldiers & Sailors
October 12, 2023 7PM
Free Virtual Event – Join us on Facebook or YouTube
Please note: You can use the links above to watch archived Spotlight On programs!
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum has stood as a landmark in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh for more than 110 years. Originally constructed as a memorial to veterans of the Civil War, today Soldiers & Sailors honors veterans from the Civil War through present day from all branches of service. This program will examine the origins and history of the memorial, as well as the creation of the non-profit trust which manages the building and the collection of artifacts today. Join Curator Michael Kraus and Director of Education Tim Neff to learn all about Soldiers & Sailors and many of the interesting stories and events that have taken place in and around this historic structure.
Michael Kraus Bio:
A well-known Civil War historian, Kraus currently works as Curator/Historian for Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum. His accomplishments include several historical consultant credits for major films, writing and narrating the documentary series Civil War Minutes and Civil War Life as well as authoring articles and books regarding the conflict. Michael also is an accomplished sculptor with an impressive resume of historically themed works in bronze.
Tim Neff Bio:
Tim Neff began working at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum Trust, Inc. in 2002 as the Director of Education. In 2017, Tim took on the role of Vice President and Director of Museum & Education at Soldiers & Sailors. He is a certified Social Studies teacher and holds a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh. During his time at Soldiers & Sailors, Tim has developed a variety of museum programs including: interactive and engaging tours and field trips, a footlocker outreach program, Boy Scout merit badge programs, teacher conferences, summer camps, community history events and much more.
Soldiers & Sailors Tabletop Gamers
10AM – 4PM
Welcome to the monthly game day for the Soldiers & Sailors Tabletop Gamers! We welcome interested gamers ages 10 and up of all experience levels (including none) who want to bring or just play historical board games and miniatures war games, in keeping with the museums mission. Game days will require you to pay standard museum admission, which is listed on the museums website: https://www.soldiersandsailorshall.org/museum/. HINT: The annual membership is very inexpensive! https://www.soldiersandsailorshall.org/donate/#membership.
For more information please contact Tim Neff: tim@soldiersandsailorshall.org
What is Tabletop Gaming?
Tabletop gaming is played on a table with physical pieces, as opposed to video/computer games. Tabletop gaming includes both board games with playing pieces (for example, Stratego) and miniature games. Miniature games use representative terrain game boards and miniature military figures.
Join us in celebrating Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum’s brush with classic cinematic horror at The Silence of the Lambs Night taking place on Friday, October 27th.
Doors open at 5:30PM to allow guests to take in The Silence of the Lambs replica cage in the grand ballroom as well as movie stills where the iconic escape scene was filmed. Take a selfie with our Hannibal and Clarice reenactors. Visit with The Silence of the Lambs’ metal fabricator, Joe Steinmetz, and see the original blueprints of the film’s actual cage. What’s believed to be the original cage rug from the movie will also be on display courtesy of Ruth Frantz.
The owner of the recently converted property that was used as Buffalo Bill’s House in The Silence of the Lambs will be present to share information about his property and inn.
Visit with vendors, browse spine-tingling wares, and enjoy spooky season music courtesy of DJ Crush.
Costumes are encouraged, however no full face masks or weapons of any kind are permitted. Forgot your costume? Face Paint Pittsburgh will be onsite offering free Halloween themed face painting and an artificial laceration station courtesy of their professional medical moulage artist.
For a nominal fee, have your tarot cards read, visit with psychic mediums, have your runes read or get a caricature drawn as your favorite Halloween character. Guests ages 18 and older can purchase themed The Silence of the Lambs and other spooky season inspired flash and tiny tattoos.
Victor Cianca, the Metropolitan Bishop of the Western Orthodox Church, Superior General of Society of Sancta Maria Magdalena (our monastic), and Protector and Chief Exorcist for the Society of Saint Michael, as well as all Churches under our Western Orthodox Umbrella, will be present to answer, explain and consult about hauntings, spirits, demons and angels. Victor has been on many cases and has a research team that consults him. He will be bringing Blessed Salt and Holy Water to give to people who would like it.
Watch an interactive movie themed pumpkin carving demonstration and try your luck at winning the finished pumpkin to display at your home for Halloween.
The film will be shown in its entirety in the auditorium at 7:30PM. While this event is not strictly an over 21 event, please be aware that The Silence of the Lambs has an R rating, so parental discretion is advised. Closed captioning will be available during the film showing.
A variety of refreshments will be available including a cash bar for guests ages 21 and older. If you do intend to partake, please be sure to bring a valid photo ID.
Advanced ticket purchases are strongly encouraged as space is limited. Tickets are nonrefundable.
VENDORS:
Bishop Victor Cianca
Dance Extensions Performing Arts Center
Psychic Medium Debbie Pakler, PhD
Joe Steinmetz, Metal Fabricator
A Fundraising Gala
Friday
3 November 2023
The festivities for this patriotic, black-tie event will begin with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as our museum comes alive.
Enjoy a unique and fun experience presented through the personal artifacts and real-life stories
of honor, courage, and sacrifice from our Veterans.
Then guests proceed to our elegant ballroom for an evening filled with fine food including a military-inspired formal sit-down dinner.
This year’s entertainment will be a lively dueling piano performance courtesy of Felix and Fingers Dueling Pianos.
ATTIRE: BLACK TIE (OPTIONAL)/MILITARY DRESS UNIFORM
Chaired by
Sophia Mirza & Keith Mitchell
Click on the “Cannon Ball Sponsorship” button
if you are interested in becoming a 2023 Cannon Ball Sponsor.
Thank you to our 2023 Sponsors !
Presenting Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors
Join us Sunday, December 3rd for our annual Patriotic Holiday Concert featuring local performers joining forces to perform holiday and patriotic classics in the auditorium.
More details to come.
Soldiers & Sailors Tabletop Gamers
10AM – 4PM
Welcome to the monthly game day for the Soldiers & Sailors Tabletop Gamers! We welcome interested gamers ages 10 and up of all experience levels (including none) who want to bring or just play historical board games and miniatures war games, in keeping with the museums mission. Game days will require you to pay standard museum admission, which is listed on the museums website: https://www.soldiersandsailorshall.org/museum/. HINT: The annual membership is very inexpensive! https://www.soldiersandsailorshall.org/donate/#membership.
For more information please contact Tim Neff: tim@soldiersandsailorshall.org
What is Tabletop Gaming?
Tabletop gaming is played on a table with physical pieces, as opposed to video/computer games. Tabletop gaming includes both board games with playing pieces (for example, Stratego) and miniature games. Miniature games use representative terrain game boards and miniature military figures.