Spotlight On:
Behind the Scenes of the
Footlocker Outreach Program
August 11, 2022 7PM
Virtual Event – Join us on Facebook or YouTube
Have you ever considered hosting a Soldiers & Sailors Footlocker Outreach presentation at your school, library, senior center or other location? This Spotlight On program will provide a special virtual look at this hands-on program aimed at educating people of all ages. A selection of artifacts that are included in a footlocker presentation will be examined. The footlocker topics that are available include: Civil War, World War I, World War II, Vietnam War and Desert Storm. We will also examine the history of the footlocker and highlight several that we have in our collection. Join us to learn about this unique educational program.
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.
Please click on the green “Tickets” button to register and pre-pay admission to attend.
Spotlight On:
The History of Dog Tags
September 8, 2022 7PM
Free Virtual Event – Join us on Facebook or YouTube
Please note: You can use the links above to watch archived Spotlight On programs!
You have probably heard of dog tags before. In fact, all living veterans have been issued them in the service, while others have purchased a personalized pair for their own as a souvenir. But have you ever wondered how the tradition started or where the name comes from? This program will examine the origins of the modern dog tag which can be traced back to the Civil War. We will discuss the general purpose of dog tags and the changes that have been made in the design. We may even dispel a common myth or two. Several dog tags from the museum’s collection will also be highlighted in the presentation. Join us to learn all about these “Symbols of Service” that have come to represent our country’s veterans.
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.
Museum admission is free to the public from 10am to 4pm.
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.
Please click on the green “Tickets” button to register and pre-pay admission to attend.
Museum admission is free to the public from 10am to 4pm.
Spotlight On:
Dollar Bank
October 13, 2022 7PM
Free Virtual Event – Join us on Facebook or YouTube
Please note: You can use the links above to watch archived Spotlight On programs!
Did you know that Dollar Bank provided most of the funding for the construction of Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall via the purchase of Allegheny County Bonds between 1906-1908? Founded in 1855, Dollar Bank is Pittsburgh’s oldest bank. The Dollar Bank Historical Collection contains handwritten bank ledgers from 1855 through the 1920s, as well as photographs, plat books, marketing materials and banking machines. This program will examine the history of Dollar Bank through the handwritten ledgers and highlight several U.S. service members and veterans from the Pittsburgh area.
Robert Presutti Bio:
Bob Presutti is the corporate archivist for Dollar Bank. Previously, he served as Curator of Archives and Manuscripts at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and a Master of Library and information science from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Business Administration degree from Duquesne University. He has worked in the archives field for over fifteen years.
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.
Soldiers & Sailors Tabletop Gamers
10AM – 4PM
Welcome to the monthly game day for the Soldiers & Sailors Tabletop Gamers!
Join us this October for the 241st anniversary of the Siege of Yorktown, Virginia, the joint French-American victory (the French had a larger part in the victory) which led to the end of the American Revolution and our independence from Great Britain.
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.
Please click on the green “Tickets” button to register and pre-pay admission to attend.
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 28th.
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.
Mission BBQ will also be on site selling pulled pork or chicken sandwiches with mac and cheese and a bottle of water and assorted sauces. Meals sold by Mission BBQ are CASH ONLY so please bring cash if you wish to purchase a meal.
Advanced ticket purchases are strongly encouraged as space is limited. Tickets are nonrefundable.
VENDORS:
Bishop Victor Cianca
Psychic Medium Debbie Pakler, PhD
Joe Steinmetz, Metal Fabricator
The Light & Beyond by Jax Cassidy
THANK YOU TO OUR PRESENTING SPONSOR:
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:
A Fundraising Gala
Saturday
5 November 2022
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, entertainment, and MURDER.
Get ready for an interactive night of suspense
with a comedic edge courtesy of the national Murder Mystery Company.
We plan to have fun, but Soldiers & Sailors and the Murder Mystery Company will take every precaution necessary to create the most healthy conditions possible for our guests and staff as we continue to deal with the COVID pandemic.
ATTIRE: BLACK TIE (OPTIONAL)/MILITARY DRESS UNIFORM
Host Committee
Jeff Eiben
Richard Fersch & Kristi Gedid
Jim Fields
Stephen Kijanka
Jim Manion
Kayla Miller
Sophia Mirza & Keith Mitchell
Sean Moran
Mark Nave
Gene Pash
Chris Phillips
Andy & Cindy Russell
Amy Smiley
Thank You To Our Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsors
Russell Charitable Foundation
Bronze Sponsors
