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.
Spotlight On:
Scrapbooks: Preserving History
November 10, 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!
Scrapbooks and photo albums are a very personal way to preserve individual and/or family memories. Soldiers & Sailors is honored to have a number of scrapbooks and photo albums as a part our collection. This program will highlight these artifacts and the stories behind the military personnel they remember. We will also discuss some basic methods that can be used to care for these irreplaceable pieces of family history. With Veterans Day coming up on November 11th, what better way honor the occasion than to take a moment and learn about these individuals through their own words and images.
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.
Spotlight On:
The Battle of the Bulge
December 8, 2022
Free Virtual Event – Join us on Facebook or YouTube
Please note: You can use the links above to watch archived Spotlight On programs!
In December 1944 Germany launched their last offensive on the Western Front during World War II. Known as the Battle of the Bulge, it was one of the US Army’s greatest and fiercest battles of the war. Western Pennsylvania, particularly the Pittsburgh area, was represented in the famous engagement by two fighting divisions. The 99th Infantry Division, played a significant role in this engagement, suffering 2000 casualties in the first four days as they earned the nickname “Battle Babies. The other local connection the 110th RCT/ 28th Division, “Bloody Bucket”, slowed down the enemy’s surprise advance by several days gaining valuable time to reinforce the line at the cost of 4,000 casualties.
This program will highlight several artifacts in our collection related to the 99th Division and 28th Division and this historic event and will also feature stories about the role some of our local heroes played.
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
December’s Theme: The Battle of the Bulge
Pennsylvania Magazine will be attending and plans to include us in an upcoming article on historical tabletop gaming…so we will have four especially photogenic miniatures games and displays:
- Multiplayer Battle of the Bulge scenario using Avalon Hill’s Panzer Leader situation 16
2. De Bellis Antiquitatis scenario
3. Multiplayer Gettysburg day 3 game
4. Multiplayer Battle of the Bulge-themed What a Tanker game.
We will also have several Battle of the Bulge boardgames available from the museum collection, including Avalon Hill Battle of the Bulge, SPI’s Ardennes Offensive and Battles for the Ardennes, and Panzer Leader.
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:
One Year in the Curatorial Department
January 12, 2023
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 maintains a collection of more than 11,000 objects, a number that continues to increase each year as new donations are accepted. The artifacts range from the Civil War to the present day and include uniforms, equipment, weaponry, paintings, photos books, personal letters, diaries, medals and a host of other US military relevant items. Join Curator Michael Kraus and Collections Manager Lisa Terrano for a fascinating look “behind the scenes” at what it is like to work with the museum’s collection. The program will specifically highlight several significant objects that arrived over the course of 2022 and the stories behind them.
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.
Lisa Terrano Bio:
Lisa Terrano is the Collections Manager at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum. She joined the Museum in 2015 and has always had a passionate interest in military history. She is responsible for the safe storage of artifacts in the permanent collection, cataloging artifacts and has worked on display installations, museum tours, grant writing and fundraising events. She holds Masters in Military History from American Public University and a BA in History and Minor in Historical Preservation from the University of Pittsburgh.
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
For January’s gameday we will be playing games from the Soldiers & Sailors collection of games!
For a full list of our game inventory click here!
Before January’s Game Day:
- Pick out a game or two and put the game name in the event discussion at least a week before game day. The rules will be posted so you can read them in advance.
- Or you can reply to someone else’s post that you will play the game they selected. Your game will be out and ready to play on the 28th.
- If anyone wants to play Battle Cry, lovely painted miniatures donated by HMGS Next Gen will be available.
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:
Thinking of You
February 9, 2023
Free Virtual Event – Join us on Facebook or YouTube
Please note: You can use the links above to watch archived Spotlight On programs!
For soldiers and sailors serving around the world, thoughts of home and family are often an important source of comfort needed to pass the time when far away. Since the earliest days of American military service, servicemen, servicewomen and their loved ones have used may different communication methods to stay in touch and reflect upon their strong bonds. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, this program will highlight a number of letters, cards, diaries, photos and more items from the museum’s collection that represent the theme “Thinking of You”.
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.
Lisa Terrano Bio:
Lisa Terrano is the Collections Manager at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum. She joined the Museum in 2015 and has always had a passionate interest in military history. She is responsible for the safe storage of artifacts in the permanent collection, cataloging artifacts and has worked on display installations, museum tours, grant writing and fundraising events. She holds Masters in Military History from American Public University and a BA in History and Minor in Historical Preservation from the University of Pittsburgh.
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.
Join us as we celebrate romance with our Valentine’s Day love letters live reading on Friday, February 17th.
Enjoy a special Valentine’s Day themed temporary display to the background of a strolling violin by Steven Vance followed by live readings of authentic love letters from the museum’s archives from various military eras over charcuterie, champagne, and desserts at your own private table for two. Tickets include one complimentary beverage of your choice followed by a beer, wine, and champagne cash bar.
Caricature artist Howard Bender will be selling caricatures from 6pm to 7pm.
Ticket price will be $70 for a table of 2. Space for this live love letter reading engagement is very limited, so we encourage securing your non-fundable reservations as soon as possible. This is an ages 21 and older event.
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor:
Thank you to our additional sponsors:
