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 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.
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.
Inviting college freshmen only to a FREE showing of The Silence of the Lambs!
We hope to encourage first year students who may be new to the Oakland area to learn about
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum while celebrating our brush with classic cinematic horror!
The movie will be shown in our auditorium. Start time is 7:00 PM. (Doors open at 6:30 PM)
See a replica cage in the grand ballroom where the iconic escape scene was filmed.
BYOP: Bring your own popcorn!
Limited Seating Available
Registration is encouraged.
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
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum
Spotlight On:
The Grand Army of the Republic
November 9, 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!
Formed in 1866, The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) became the predominant veterans’ organization following the Civil War. Reaching a peak in 1890 with well over 400,000 members, this fraternal group wielded great political and economic power throughout the northern states. In Pittsburgh the GAR was responsible for conceiving and constructing Soldiers & Sailors in honor of the more than 25,000 veterans from Allegheny County. This program will examine the history of the GAR and will highlight artifacts from our collection.
Rich Condon Bio:
Rich Condon is a public historian from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a BA in public history from Shepherd University. For over a decade Rich has worked with a multitude of sites and organizations including The Battle of Franklin Trust, Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum, National Museum of Civil War Medicine, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park, Flight 93 National Memorial, Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, and Catoctin Mountain Park. He has written for Civil War Times Magazine, The American Battlefield Trust, as well as Emerging Civil War, and operates the Civil War Pittsburgh blog, which focuses on sharing stories related to Western Pennsylvania’s role in the Civil War.
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.
On Sunday, December 3, 2023, Soldiers & Sailors is hosting A Holly Jolly Holiday Party benefiting Folds of Honor, Toys for Tots, Gunny’s Ridge and Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum Trust, Inc. The evening features patriotic holiday music from the North Pittsburgh Symphonic Band.
There will also be a special holiday performance by Pittsburgh’s own Regional Emmy Winner Rapper, FRZY!
Shop in our North Pole village, get your picture taken with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy a hot cocoa or special holiday cocktail and be sure to have the children visit the holiday mailroom to write a letter to Santa and send a card to our troops overseas!
There will be an ugly sweater contest, basket raffle, pledge trees and many ways to give to these amazing organizations that support our veterans.
Dinner will be served from Mission BBQ from 5:00-7:00PM and there is even an epic Pittsburgh cookie table/candy bar with treats for you to take home!
Tickets are $25/adults and children to 16 yrs. of age are free!
Don’t forget to bring an unopened gift for Toys for Tots!
Look for the drop-off station in the Soldiers & Sailors’ lobby outside the auditorium entrance.
Benefiting Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum Trust, Inc., Toys for Tots, Folds of Honor, and Gunny’s Ridge.
Please use the ticket button or click here to purchase tickets.
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum
Spotlight On:
Bring Home the Soldier Dead League
December 14, 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!
In June 1920, a military order was issued to place a guard in the Belleau Wood cemetery in France to arrest any American who attempted to exhume the bodies of soldiers buried there. The order was given after learning that James Foster of McKeesport, the father of a U.S. Marine killed during the battle, had made extensive plans to disinter the remains of his son and bring them home. This program will examine the nearly three-year long struggle of the Fosters and other families who wished to bring their fallen loved ones home after WWI. Also highlighted will be additional artifacts and stories from the museum’s collection related to this subject.
Andrew Capets Bio:
Andrew serves as President of the Trafford Historical Society, and co-authored the book “Images of America – Trafford” published in 2017 by Arcadia Publishing.
He is the author of the book Good War, Great Men. The detailed accounts of a machine gun battalion during World War I. In 2018, his book was endorsed as an official project of the World War One Centennial Commission in Washington D.C.
In the Fall of 2021, Andrew’s article “Bring Home the Soldier Dead League” was published by the Heinz History Center’s Western Pennsylvania History Magazine.
This article was recognized with two awards by the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania, one for Excellence in Written Journalism in the History & Culture category, and the other with a best in show award in Division 7, recognized with a Ray Sprigle Memorial Award.
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.