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.
Join Vietnam Veterans Inc. (VVI) as they raise awareness & remember all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action.
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.
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.