Posted: 6/22/2008
Doo Dah Days
Stephen Foster Music and Heritage Festival
Saturday, July 12, 2008 – Stephen Foster Memorial and Music Festival

Better known as Doo Dah Days, the Stephen Foster Music and Heritage Festival returns for another year of fun and education. For decades Americans went by the thousands to Foster festivals in Kentucky and Florida to enjoy the music of America’s Troubadour, Stephen Foster. Now the Lawrenceville Historical Society and Allegheny Cemetery Historical Association bring the music home to the city where Foster was born, raised, and laid to his final rest.

Foster’s music is celebrated worldwide, but it was not until July 1, 2006, that a festival was held in his own hometown. Journey back to the days of Stephen Foster with the music from his era as played by such renown bands as Home Front, the Pittsburgh Banjo Club, Frets and Feet, and Open Window. Additional music will be played by Cathasaigh

Take a guided trolley tour of beautiful Allegheny Cemetery or roll down the charming lanes in a horse drawn carriage.

Go to Stephen Foster’s grave and stay for a chance to hear Stephen’s wife Jane (as presented by Mary Kraszczak) and his mother Eliza (as portrayed by Rose Gitzen) with musical pieces played by Bruce Molyneaux. You’ll not want to miss this part of the festival. With Mary leading the sing-alongs, it is bound to be more fun than a barrelful of banjo players.

Or stock up on your reading materials. On hand will be Ellen Hunter Ulken to sell and autograph her book Beautiful Dreamer: the Life of Stephen Collins Foster. Also, all three Lawrenceville books (Monster on the Allegheny, A Doughboy’s Tale, and In Loving Memory) will be available for sale. From these three books you can learn over three-dozen fascinating tales of the neighborhood where Foster was born, the community that his father founded. Also available for sale will be Stephen Foster snow globes.

The festival is on July 12, 2008, from Noon to 5:00 at the Butler Street Entrance of Allegheny Cemetery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The main stage will be near Butler Street. Main Stage performances are 12:15 –Frets and Feet, 1:30 –the Pittsburgh Banjo Club, 2:45 –Home Front, and 4:00 –Open Window.

Trolley tours will leave from the Conservatory starting at 1:00..

Graveside performances are 1:00, 2:30, and 4:00.

Except for the books, food, and other select items this event is free and open to the public.

Please refrain from bringing pets, alcohol, or bicycles.

For more information see http://www.doodahdays.com, e-mail us at info@LHS15201.org, or call (412) 605-0966.

Posted: 5/22/2008
LAWRENCEVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S 2008 LECTURE SERIES
The Lawrenceville Historical Society Lecture Series has gained such a fine reputation that more and more organizations contact us for help in getting speakers for them. You too can see what the excitement is about.

It's free and it's happening at Canterbury Place, McVay Auditorium (1st Floor), 310 Fisk Street, Lawrenceville. Starting time for all presentations is 7:00 p.m. For more information e-mail us at info@LHS15201.org.

July 17
Rivers of Pittsburgh [Images of America]
Author Daniel J. Burns will give a Power Point presentation on the rivers of Pittsburgh as presented in the Images of America book series.

September 18
The Rise of Industrial Pittsburgh 1850-1900
Marilyn Holt, of the Carnegie Library, will present a slide show on the rise of industry in the Pittsburgh region.

October 16
Members Meeting
Spectrum (A book review) - Author Gary Link will discuss his most recent book Spectrum, which is a sequel to the popular book The Burnt District. Members are encouraged to attend and vote for the next year's board. Non-members are welcome to attend.

November 20
Allegheny City Society
David McMunn will present a Power Point presentation on the history of Allegheny City, which became Pittsburgh's North Side in 1907. The society published an Images of America book on Allegheny City.

Membership