It’s a Beautiful Day in The ‘Burgh: Mr. Rogers’ Memorabilia
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Before moving to Pittsburgh, I had no idea that the classic children’s program Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood filmed in the city. Pittsburgh has a long history of television and radio firsts. During my time living here, I learned that KDKA was the first commercial radio station in the US. The first broadcast was back in 1920. The city’s first TV station, WDTV went on air in 1949, and eventually became KDKA-TV. At the time, it was the first networked TV broadcast.
Most tourists are unaware that Mr. Rogers filmed here until visiting the city. The long running classic filmed at WQED Studios from 1968 to 2001. Due to the lengthy run time spanning several decades, the show holds that nostalgic factor for a wide range of generations with Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials all being familiar with the famous “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” song. WQED beginnings started in 1954. It was the first community sponsored educational station and the first to broadcast classes to grammar school students. It became a member of PBS in the 70’s. You can read more about the history of the station if you are interested.
Fred Rogers was originally from LaTrobe, a small town about an hour outside of Pittsburgh. There is park bench memorial here where you can take a quick photo. Each June, the town holds a special Mister Rogers Days festival with a lot of family events scheduled. Something to check out if you are interested.
See the TV set at the Heinz History Center
At the Heinz History Center, you can travel back in time and visit Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. This fantastic exhibit includes the largest collection of items from the TV show. They basically have the entire living room set with Fred in his iconic sweater and khaki pants tying his sneakers.
You will also get to see the hand puppets, King Friday XIII’s castle, and Mr. McFeeley’s Speedy Delivery bike. It’s really a step back in time for all of us who grew up watching this children’s classic.
Fred always wore a cardigan on the show. Every episode, he changed from his work clothes into his cozy cardigan and sneakers as he sang his famous song, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor.” Although he wore a variety of colors, you will be able to see a blue cardigan on display. The cozy sweater was meant to reflect the warmth and friendliness of the program. According to this Smithsonian article, Fred’s mother knitted him a sweater every Christmas! You can see his famous red sweater at The Smithsonian Museum of American history in D.C. (a great museum I recommend putting on your bucket list).
Mike and I were lucky enough to visit during Pittsburgh’s RAD Days, an annual festival where the city offers free admission to a number of museums and attractions. Regardless of when your visit falls, I recommend checking out the History Center. There are a lot of interesting exhibits here detailing the history of the Western PA region. My favorites include an interactive Heinz Ketchup exhibit and an innovation exhibit where you can explore discoveries made in Pittsburgh over the years. There is also an attached sports museum for anyone interested in Steelers memorabilia.
After visiting this museum, I recommend a stroll around the Strip District. There are lots of great local restaurants, a few sports stands and specialty grocers, and coffeehouses. A few of my favorites include: La Prima Espresso, Cafe Raymond, Pennsylvania Macaroni Co., and Iron Born pizza. You can also take a walk or bike ride along the Three Rivers trail. I am usually able to find free parking in this area, especially in the morning hours.
Three Rivers Heritage trail statue
Mike and I often biked on this beautiful riverfront trail which features amazing views of the 3 rivers and various bridges. There are also a few interesting historical sites along the route, so it’s a great option for sightseeing. Most notably, there is a tribute to Mr. Roger’s here. The 11 foot statue is bronze was completed in 2009 – 6 years after Fred’s Death. It was ordered by his friend Cordelia May through her Colcom Foundation. You can read more fun facts about this statue via the Pittsburgh Magazine. There is a great viewpoint of Point State Park (this park marks the joining of the Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny Rivers) and the iconic fountain (only runs during the warmer months).
143 Day in Pennsylvania
On an interesting side note, I learned while living here that May 23rd (the 143rd day of the year) is a day to spread kindness. Fred often used this number as a code for love and kindness on his show. Each number corresponds to the number of letter in I-Love-You. What’s even crazier is that Fred maintained his weight at 143 pounds.
On a side note, I took a boat cruise a few years ago in a charming suburb of Orlando known as Winter Park. This is an upscale suburb where many celebs have second homes along the scenic Chain of Lakes. One of the houses our tour guide pointed out was Fred’s home. He pointed out that he graduated with a degree in music from the prestigious Rollins College. Here’s a pic of his home.
