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41-481: The memorial consists of a statue of a schoolboy, who represents "The Spirit of the American Youth". He looks on at three panels that represent the life of George Westinghouse and is presumed to draw inspiration from them. The memorial is made of bronze and granite. It is one of many mementos to George Westinghouse in the area. Some additional honors include Westinghouse Park , George Westinghouse Memorial Bridge , and

82-583: A deed stipulation, the house was razed in 1919, and the park was developed; the Westinghouse Memorial , however, was erected a few miles away in Schenley Park . Writer John Edgar Wideman made frequent references to the park in his books. Both of his memoirs, Brothers and Keepers and Hoop Roots , use the park as a setting, as does his fictional Homewood Trilogy . In 2006, archeological exploration found numerous small artifacts and reestablished

123-708: A memorial to George Westinghouse in 1916, two years after his death. Initially the memorial was planned for Westinghouse's former estate in Point Breeze North , Solitude , which is now the site of Westinghouse Park . However, in 1926 the City Council accepted a proposal to build the memorial in Schenley Park instead. The project was overseen by the Westinghouse Memorial Association and took four years to plan and execute. Pittsburgh architects Henry Hornbostel and Eric Fisher Wood were chosen to design

164-645: A robust catalogue of summer camps for young learners to fitness classes in the parks. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy created the Restoring Pittsburgh Parks: The Parks Plan , in partnership with the City of Pittsburgh and community members, to establish a more equitable parks system for all Pittsburghers, while also addressing a $ 400 million shortfall of deferred capital repairs and an annual $ 13 million maintenance shortfall. The Plan calls for enough annual resources to prevent future backlogs, such as

205-449: A school-aged boy holding a stack of books in one hand and a crumpled hat in the other as he contemplates the life and accomplishments of George Westinghouse. The statue has a granite pedestal and stands on a peninsula shaped like a ship's prow that projects into the lily pond. At times, the statue has been vandalized by spray paint. Landscape elements, including a lily pond, paved walkways, and surrounding vegetation, form an integral part of

246-432: A total of $ 200,000. It was dedicated on Westinghouse's birthday, October 6, 1930, which Pittsburgh mayor Charles H. Kline officially declared to be "Westinghouse Day". All local Westinghouse employees were given the day off from work. The ceremony was attended by approximately 12,000 people, including B. C. Forbes , Francis Hopwood, 1st Baron Southborough , U.S. Labor Secretary James J. Davis , Senator David A. Reed , and

287-496: A variety of industry leaders like James A. Farrell , David Sarnoff , Gerard Swope , and Samuel M. Vauclain . Westinghouse's old rival Thomas Edison did not attend, but he did send a statement by mail, as did Andrew Mellon and President Herbert Hoover . The keynote address was given by U.S. Representative James F. Burke . A celebratory dinner was also held the night before at the William Penn Hotel . The bronze memorial

328-435: A way to cap the well. An illumination test was conducted by igniting the gas jet at the top of a tall pipe. It initially produced a 100-foot flame that illuminated a mile-wide area to a brightness sufficient to read a newspaper. This well was designated as "Westinghouse Well No. 1" or "Old No. 1" to distinguish it from several other wells that were drilled in the area. Eventually, several natural gas derricks towered above

369-542: Is also visible. The view is from the south, from present-day Thomas Boulevard. Small figures of children and workers can be seen near the well. An article in Harper's Weekly in 1885 featured an article on "The Gas Wells of Pennsylvania," and included an engraving of Westinghouse's "Old No.1" derrick flaming as an "illuminator" at night. The article extolls the revolutionary nature of using cheap natural gas as an alternative to dirty and expensive coal by industry and households, and

410-408: Is another photo of the same house from the south, from about the distance of Thomas Boulevard. A corner of the former greenhouse is seen on the far left. Next is a photograph taken before 1890 of the gas derrick that became known as the "Westinghouse Old No.1" well in present-day Westinghouse Park. This picture shows also the carriage house and the mansion Solitude on the far right. A second derrick

451-610: Is depicted at his drafting table in a bas-relief medallion flanked by high-relief figures of a mechanic and an engineer, along with dedicatory text and a granite plaque commemorating the first trial of the Westinghouse air brake . According to the Pittsburgh Press , the models for the two workers were actual Westinghouse employees Thomas Campbell and Anton Kusebauch. The two side panels contain bas-relief images of Westinghouse's engineering accomplishments, including electrification of

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492-524: The George Westinghouse, Jr., Birthplace and Boyhood Home . The current location of the memorial is near the back of Carnegie Mellon University in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Schenley Drive, a road that runs through the park, is also nearby. In 2019, the memorial was designated a historic landmark by the city of Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh City Council first proposed building

533-931: The Frick Environmental Center · The rehabilitation of the Westinghouse Memorial and Pond · The restoration of the Schenley Park Café and Visitor Center · The restoration of the Northeast Fountain in Allegheny Commons Park · The rehabilitation of the first phase of the Allegheny Commons Park North Promenade project The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy works with thousands of volunteers, hosts hundreds of events, and provides programming for more than 7,500 children annually. Offerings include free events for families to

574-681: The Highland Park Entry Garden · The conversion of Schenley Plaza from a parking lot into the grand entrance to Schenley Park · The creation of a seasonal pools and wetland habitat along Highland Park's Washington Boulevard · The ecological restoration of the Panther Hollow Watershed in Schenley Park · The restoration of the Riverview Park Chapel Shelter and its surrounding landscape · The restoration of

615-660: The Mary E. Schenley Memorial Fountain in Schenley Plaza · The restoration of the Mellon Park Walled Garden and installation of public art piece · Completion of a federally funded trail and signage project · The revitalization of the entrance of McKinley Park in Beltzhoover · The restoration of downtown Pittsburgh’s Mellon Square · The renovation of August Wilson Park, formerly known as Cliffside Park · The rebuilding of

656-597: The New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad , the World's Columbian Exposition electrical system , and the Adams Power Plant at Niagara Falls. Each of the six reliefs is supported by a pair of sculpted turtles and set in a rectangular opening above a granite plaque with descriptive text. The side reliefs were sculpted by Paul Fjelde , while Daniel Chester French was responsible for the figural reliefs including Westinghouse and

697-465: The Parks Conservancy has raised more than $ 130 million to restore Pittsburgh’s park system to excellence and completed 22 major improvement projects. Currently active in 22 of the city's 165 park sites, the Parks Conservancy has expanded into community and neighborhood parks throughout Pittsburgh. The Conservancy is committed to improving the quality of life for the people of Pittsburgh by restoring

738-580: The Restoring Pittsburgh Parks: The Parks Plan through Parks Conservancy community outreach, meetings, and surveys. This community outreach supported a data-driven foundation built to ensure equity across the City of Pittsburgh. The ballot question was approved by the citizens of Pittsburgh on November 5, 2019, who voted ‘yes’ to increased funding for Pittsburgh’s park system. This initiative will guarantee an additional $ 10 million per year to Pittsburgh’s parks, in perpetuity, funded by

779-421: The ability of such a genius as Mr. French". Elaborate borders consisting of meanders, floral patterns, and other designs appear throughout. The rear of the memorial also carries a dedication plaque, which reads: This memorial unveiled October 6, 1930, in honor of George Westinghouse is an enduring testimonial to the esteem, affection and loyalty of 60,000 employees of the great industrial organizations of which he

820-657: The bonanza the recent discovery of this resource in Western Pennsylvania would bring to the economy of the region. Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy was founded in December 1996 by a group of citizens concerned with the deteriorating conditions of Pittsburgh’s historic city parks. A non-profit organization , the Parks Conservancy works closely with the City of Pittsburgh under an official public-private partnership agreement to restore and improve

861-632: The city’s park system to its full potential. To date, the Parks Conservancy has raised more than $ 130 million and completed 22 major park improvement projects. A team of 40 dedicated Parks Conservancy employees work with thousands of volunteers, host hundreds of events, and provide programming for more than 7,500 children annually. The Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy was founded in 1996 by Meg Cheever, former publisher of Pittsburgh Magazine , who modeled it on other private/public partnerships in Louisville, Kentucky , New York City , and Buffalo, New York . To date,

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902-575: The community on major park improvement projects . To date, the Parks Conservancy has completed the following capital projects: · The Reynolds Street gatehouse entrance to Frick Park · The restoration of the Schenley Park Visitor Center · The creation of a babbling brook to dechlorinate wastewater from Highland Park's water filtration plant · The ecological restoration of the Phipps Run natural area in Schenley Park · The restoration of

943-434: The day, including scientist William Thomson ( Lord Kelvin ), and congressman and later president William McKinley . Close by was another building, a carriage house, that housed his private laboratory in the basement. There, he developed some of his residential electric lighting technology, installing a generator and running cables to the main house, with wires that were left exposed on the interior walls, so as not to cut into

984-535: The estate's Victorian gardens. In modern times there is no above-ground trace left of these derricks. The park's history began when Westinghouse, upon his death in 1914, bequeathed the North Point Breeze mansion to his son, who in turn sold the property in 1918 to the Engineers' Society of Western Pennsylvania . The Society's intent was to establish both a city park and a memorial to Westinghouse there. As per

1025-432: The historic Westinghouse Park site. First is a photograph of the mansion Solitude seen from the east, from Lang Avenue. One sees a three-story house with a four-story tower and a mansard roof. An enclosed porch wraps around to the south. Sun awnings on the windows and leafy trees indicate a summer setting. The excellent condition of the house suggests the photograph predates the death of George Westinghouse in 1914. Next

1066-540: The life of George Westinghouse, a statue of a school-age boy facing the panels, and the surrounding landscape including a lily pond, stone pathways, and black granite benches. The design of the memorial shows a strong Beaux-Arts influence, reflecting Hornbostel and Wood's training at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris , while also incorporating modern elements like the depiction of contemporary people—a student and two industrial workers—in place of classical figures. Early plans for

1107-461: The location of the long-vanished gas well. An excellent view of the park, showing some of the ancient specimen trees, can be found at Ref. In 2019, the Westinghouse Park 2nd Century Coalition was formed to improve the park's facilities, explore and exhibit its Westinghouse history, and provide it with ongoing stewardship. See the external link below. Shown here are several images related to

1148-433: The memorial design. Some parts of the landscape, like the pond, predate the memorial itself, while others were added during and after construction. Although the landscape has evolved over time, the overall appearance of the memorial site still adheres to its original design principles. The lily pond was constructed in 1896 and was originally fed by Phipps Run, one of the streams that supplies Panther Hollow Lake . Eventually,

1189-603: The memorial in 1931. A further 12 trees were donated in 1965 by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation . Westinghouse Park Westinghouse Park is a city-block sized municipal park in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania . The park land is the former estate of George Westinghouse , an American entrepreneur and engineer , and his wife Marguerite. With an area of about 10 acres, it was the site of his mansion known as Solitude. At this house, Westinghouse worked with his engineers, including Nikola Tesla , and entertained notable people of

1230-431: The memorial showed a more traditional vision with partially draped nymphs flanking the portrait of Westinghouse; these were replaced at the behest of the Westinghouse Memorial Association, who "prevailed upon Mr. French to attempt to produce a 'modern' masterpiece." The three panels are arranged in a semicircle and sit on top of a Norwegian granite base. Each panel is solid bronze. On the central panel, George Westinghouse

1271-587: The memorial, and Daniel Chester French (best known for his statue of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial ) and Paul Fjelde created the sculptural elements. The bronze pieces were cast by Gorham Manufacturing Company of Rhode Island. Masaniello Piccirilli, one of the Piccirilli Brothers , spent approximately 14 months carving the wax models used for the castings. Funding for the memorial came from more than 50,000 Westinghouse employees, who raised

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1312-421: The one Pittsburgh’s park system currently faces. A new ballot initiative was proposed to raise enough annual funds to address the ongoing need. The ballot initiative aimed to establish a dedicated Parks Trust Fund to invest in high-quality parks for every citizen of Pittsburgh. This initiative was driven by the community, for the community. Neighbors, park users, and enthusiasts were critically involved in building

1353-540: The park system to excellence in partnership with government and the community. Projects and programs are conducted with respect for the environment, historic design, and the needs of our diverse region. In addition to youth and adult programming, maintenance, fundraising, and a host of other activities on behalf of the parks, the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy works in close partnership with the City of Pittsburgh, other government entities, local foundations, and

1394-500: The pond became damaged from storm runoff and was switched to a municipal water supply, while Phipps Run was diverted underground. However, the pond continued to deteriorate and had to be drained in 2009. It was rebuilt and refilled during the 2015–16 restoration. The plantings around the memorial include a variety of trees, shrubs, and perennials. Forty cherry trees , a gift from the Westinghouse Society of Japan, were planted at

1435-516: The two workers. Unusually, some of the sculpted elements continue on the back side of the memorial, creating a multi-layered composition. This includes the backdrop of oak leaves visible through the openings in each panel, which are revealed as a series of fully sculpted trees when viewed from the rear. The back sides of the mechanic and engineer figures are also rendered in full relief. A contemporary report described this as "[a] very unique sculptural effect, one which has never been tried and which taxed

1476-430: The value the alternating current electric system, he brought about a revolution in the transmission of electric power. His achievements were great, his energy and enthusiasm boundless, and his character beyond reproach; a shining mark for the guidance and encouragement of American youth. Facing the panels is a life-size bronze statue by Daniel Chester French representing The Spirit of the American Youth . The statue depicts

1517-402: The woodwork. Also there, Westinghouse invented methods to control and transmit natural gas for both industrial and residential consumers. In the winter of 1883/1884, seeking a source of natural gas in his own "backyard," Westinghouse ordered drilling on his estate. When gas was struck on May 22, 1884, a blowout resulted in the uncontrolled release of gas for about a week. Westinghouse devised

1558-553: Was decided to remove the gold leaf entirely, which was paid for by the Westinghouse Air Brake Company and completed in December 1941. The memorial was restored again in 1984, including repairs to the American Youth sculpture, which had been toppled by vandals a few years earlier and subsequently removed for safekeeping. By 2014, the memorial was again in need of attention. The pond infrastructure failed in 2009 and

1599-571: Was no longer able to hold water, and the monument had been damaged by winter weather and vandals. In 2015, a new restoration was launched by the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and the City of Pittsburgh. The 14-month, $ 2.7 million project included rebuilding and refilling the pond, replacing pathways, planting new vegetation, and improving storm water management around the site. The memorial was rededicated on October 6, 2016. The memorial consists of three double-sided bronze panels depicting

1640-476: Was originally covered in gold leaf , which was added "so as to permanently give the monument an interesting surface which will be enhanced by the smoky atmosphere of the city." However, the gilding could be easily scratched off with a knife, and consequently the memorial was repeatedly vandalized with "names, initials, and childish pictures". The city spent $ 4,000 restoring the monument in 1937, only for it to end up defaced again just four years later. At this point it

1681-431: Was the founder. In his later years rightly called "The Greatest Living Engineer", George Westinghouse accomplished much of first importance to mankind through his ingenuity, persistence, courage, integrity and leadership. By the invention of the air brake and of automatic signaling devices, he led the world in the development of appliances for the promotion of speed, safety and economy of transportation. By his early vision of

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