Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum
Spotlight On:
Historical Flags
June 8, 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!
Each year we celebrate Flag Day in this country on June 14th. This program will look at the significance of this date and the history behind the American flag. A number of historical artifacts from the museum’s collection will be highlighted as we look at the stories and symbolism behind each one. All types of flags will be examined including American flags, battle, signal, captured, commemorative and more. Join us as we “Rally Round the Flag” in preparation for this year’s Flag Day.
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 the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra for a concert of sing-alongs, marches, and tributes to our military personnel including Stars and Stripes Forever, the Armed Forces Salute, and Leonard Bernstein’s Overture to West Side Story. John Stafford Smith’s The Star-Spangled Banner kicks off the program under the baton of PSO Assistant Conductor Moon Doh in beautiful Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum. This concert is offered free of charge but please reserve your tickets in advance. Day-of, ticket reservations are no longer available online. Tickets will only be available at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum starting at 5:30pm.
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum
Spotlight On:
“A Civil War Husband” and the 100th PA Infantry Regiment
July 13, 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!
“A Civil War Husband” is a first-hand account of life as a soldier told through the letters of Thomas D. Nelson, member of the 100th Pennsylvania Infantry “Roundheads”. In his own words, Thomas details camp life through the food they ate, people he met, and impressions of the towns and surrounding countryside, prayer meetings, and much more. This program will feature author of “A Civil War Husband” Cindy Crytzer who is the great great granddaughter of Thomas D. Nelson. Also highlighted will be artifacts from the Soldiers & Sailors’ collection related to the 100th PA Infantry Regiment.
Cindy Friend Crytzer BIO:
Cindy is a former educator, event planner, and proud mother and grandmother living in Mercer, Pa. She has volunteered with the Mercer Area Library and Historical Society and enjoys transcribing documents for the Library of Congress in her spare time.
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! 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.
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum
Spotlight On:
U.S. Coast Guard
August 10, 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!
Every year, August 4th is celebrated as the U.S. Coast Guard Birthday, commemorating the military organization for its valor and discipline. Since 1790, they have kept the nation’s waterways safe, playing a critical role in national security. This program will feature Michael D. Evanish, CDR, USCG (ret.), who will speak about his experiences while serving in the Coast Guard. He will also present a brief history of the Coast Guard, including key milestones and iconic events. Also highlighted will be artifacts from the museum’s collection related to this branch of the U.S. Military.
Michael D. Evanish, CDR, USCG (ret.) Bio
-Soldiers & Sailors, Safety and Security Manager
-Born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA
-Sto-Rox High School Graduate
-B.A. University of Pittsburgh
-Graduate of USCG Officer Candidate School in Yorktown, VA
-23-year Coast Guard career (Active Duty and Reserves) including three post 9/11 activation tours. Retired as a Commander in 2014.
-10+ year professional career in private, corporate, public school and event security
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! 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 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:
Allegheny Arsenal
September 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 1814 the Federal Government established a new manufacturing and distribution center named Allegheny Arsenal in Lawrenceville a few miles up the Allegheny River from downtown Pittsburgh. During the Civil War high demand for ammunition escalated production at the arsenal and opportunities arose, particularly for women who found employment rolling cartridges. On September 17, 1862 a series of explosions occurred in the workshops and 78 workers perished. This program will examine the history of the Allegheny Arsenal and will highlighted artifacts from the museum’s collection related to this nationally historical site.
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.
The GoldStars Tribute Wall exists to Honor the fallen while serving in the United States military from the beginning of the Gulf War through the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. The public is invited to visit this one of a kind traveling exhibit created to honor the sacrifices made to maintain the Constitutional freedoms we exercise today. It will be available for view on our front lawn where Bigelow Blvd and Fifth Avenue meet from September 15th through the 17th.
