The John L. Ford, Sr. African American Heritage Celebration
February 23, 2023 – 7PM
Free Virtual Event
Free Virtual Event – Join us on Facebook or YouTube
Unforgotten Heroes: The Black Experience in World War I
Panel Discussion:
Moderator: Sonya D. Ford, Program Manager, Carnegie Mellon University, Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship
Panelist: Jaquay Edward Carter, Award Winning Historian & USMC Veteran
Panelist: Michael Kraus, Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum Curator
Featuring: Soldiers & Sailors 6th Regiment USCT Drum Corps Performance Video
More than 380,000 African Americans served in the US Army during World War I. Even in the face of a segregated society and military, Black men were willing to serve their country. This program will examine the significant contributions made by Black soldiers and will also highlight the role that Pittsburgh played in the Great War. Join us to learn about the “Unforgotten Heroes” of World War I.
Moderator: Sonya D. Ford, Program Manager, Carnegie Mellon University, Swartz Center for Entrepreneurship
Panelist: JaQuay Edward Carter
JaQuay Edward Carter, award-winning historian and USMC Veteran, is a Pittsburgh native who has been researching the region’s history for over a decade, with a primary focus on the Black Experience. Mr. Carter is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where he majored in History Education. In January of 2018, JaQuay founded the Greater Hazelwood Historical Society of Pittsburgh, which is now internationally recognized. Currently, Mr. Carter is an Interpretive Specialist, archivist, writer and Community Outreach Coordinator at the Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation.
Panelist: Michael Kraus
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.
The John L. Ford, Sr., African American Heritage Celebration is a FREE annual event focusing on the sacrifices & contributions of African Americans during the American conflicts. Developed in 2011 by Mr. Ford, the event has become a valued aspect of the museum’s community outreach. In 2020, the African American Heritage Celebration was renamed in honor of the late John L. Ford, Sr., who served as Soldiers & Sailors Historian from 2007 through 2017.
Spotlight On:
The Female Soldier: Elaine H. Berkowitz, DMD
March 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!
Dr. Elaine Berkowitz, a Pittsburgh native, received her Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. She retired from the Army Reserves as a Lieutenant Colonel with 38 years of service, and she deployed 4 times and has accumulated numerous medals and awards. Dr. Berkowitz is a member of various military and dental organizations. She is active in the Reserve Officers Association, the Military Order of World Wars, The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Jewish War Veterans, Women Army Corp Veterans Association, Women’s Overseas Service League as well as the American Dental Association and Special Advocates in Dentistry, to name a few. She received a Doctor Honoris Causa from the University of Prizren, Kosovo. This prestigious award was previously given to Bill Clinton and Tony Blair. Dr. Berkowitz has published her autobiography, “Live Life…Love Country”.
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.
On Sunday, March 26, 2023, Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum Trust, Inc., will induct the next group of veterans into the Joseph A. Dugan, Jr. Hall of Valor.
The ceremony begins at 2 pm in the auditorium and is open to the public and free to attend. In honor of the Hall of Valor Ceremony, the museum is open and admission is free on March 26th from 12 pm – 2 pm.
The event will also be livestreamed on Facebook and YouTube so that anyone who wants to watch this remarkable group can do so from the safety of their home.
Please use the following links to view the event on either Facebook Live or YouTube.
The links will become active about 5 minutes prior to the ceremony
https://www.youtube.com/@soldierssailorsmemorialhal836/streams
Please note the luncheon immediately following the ceremony requires prior reservation which can be done through Tim Neff.
Please click on the green “Tickets” button to register for the luncheon.
Soldiers & Sailors recognizes and pays tribute to Pennsylvania veterans who have received the military’s highest awards for valor: the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, Air Force Cross, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Soldiers Medal, Airmen Medal, Coast Guard Medal or Navy/Marine Corps Medal (for bravery and heroism during times of military conflict). These inductees will join the over 700 heroes that have already been inducted into the distinguished Hall of Valor since 1963. We also ask that you attend and encourage individuals and local community to attend the ceremony!
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum
Spotlight On:
April 9th: A Date in History
April 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!
April 9th is not just another date on the calendar. There have been several significant events that have taken place on this date over the years. General Robert E. Lee surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant in 1865, effectively ending the Civil War. In 1942, during World War II, the Bataan Death March began and as a result, today the date serves as National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day. In addition, April 9th, 2003, marks the Fall of Bagdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom. These events and more will be examined through artifacts and stories from the museum’s collection that have some connection to these historical events.
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!
Theme Game: Air War April Dogfights With 1/72 Models Using Above The Clouds Rules
Free models pictured here are still available. If you did not receive one, please use the Soldiers & Sailors Tabletop Gamers Pittsburgh button for directions on submitting a request. Hurry! Supplies are limited.
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:
Memorial Day: Remember the Fallen
May 11, 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!
Do you know the origins and significance of Memorial Day? Ahead of this year’s holiday, join us to learn about the many ways that our country and its local communities have paid tribute to those who gave their “last full measure of devotion.” We will be joined by Mark Hauser, PhD from the Department of History at Carnegie Mellon University. He will examine the changes of patterns in memorialization through the years. Artifacts and stories from the museum’s collection that are relevant to remembering our fallen will also be highlighted.
Mark Hauser, PhD
Carnegie Mellon University History Department
Mark Hauser studies American cultural and business practices of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. His current book manuscript, All the Comforts of Hell: Doughboys, Business, and American Mass Culture in the First World War, is under contract with The Johns Hopkins University Press. This project examines how soldiers’ welfare programs spurred developments in the production, management, design, distribution, and consumption of a variety of goods and services. His research has been supported by the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History, the Hoover Institution, the Center for the History of Print and Digital Culture and Wisconsin Historical Society, the Kautz Family YMCA Archives, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, and the Hagley Museum and Library.
Tim Neff
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.
Presented by
Honor those who have served our country by attending Soldiers & Sailors’ annual Memorial Day Celebration & Ceremony.
This rain or shine event is FREE and open to the public.
Our host is celebrity personality Mike Frazer of 3WS Radio.
•Tour the Museum-FREE
•Enjoy family-friendly activities, contests and entertainment
•Food and beverages available for purchase
Join us in paying tribute to our fallen PA service members!
An all-day tribute to our Fallen Post 9-11 Pennsylvania Veterans will be available for guests to view. We are also observing the 3:00 pm National Moment of Remembrance, which is an annual event asking Americans,
wherever they are at 3:00 p.m. local time on Memorial Day, to pause for a duration of one minute to remember those who have died in military service to the United States.
Camp Chase Fifes and Drums, one of the top fife and drum corps in the country who perform Civil War music in period costumes, will be performing patriotic military music throughout the day culminating with a concert at the end of the day.
Free holiday parking is available around the Memorial and in the street-level lot across from the museum on Bigelow Blvd.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Special thanks also to the following supporters:
VFW Post 927
Disabled American Veterans COL Samuel D. Foster Chapter 76
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.