Just in time for Halloween, author Todd DePastino came to the Bridgeville Area Historical Society to discuss the Salem witch trials. Filmed on Oct. 27, 2020.
Bridgeville Historical Society: Through a Special Lens
Terry Necciari discusses the geography of the glass industry in Western Pennsylvania during this presentation to the Bridgeville Area Historical Society on Sept. 29, 2020.
BV Historical Society: Controversial American Elections
Intimidation at the polling places. Long-simmering political tensions boiling over into violence. The Electoral College overriding the popular vote. That’s right—we’re talking about 19th century American elections. Author Todd DePastino was at Tuesday night’s Bridgeville Area Historical Society meeting to outline the long and lively history of dubious American election practices. It was once legal… [Read More]
Bridgeville Historical Society: Benjamin Franklin
At the March 2019 Bridgeville Area Historical Society presentation, self-described history enthusiast Jack Puglisi discussed the lively life of Benjamin Franklin.
The Donora Smog of 1948—A Bridgeville Area Historical Society Presentation
Pittsburgh used to be famous for its air pollution, and as of this year, the area still has some of the lowest-quality air in the United States. But few air pollution events in the nation’s history rival what happened an hour away, in Donora, Pa., in 1948. An atmospheric event turned the town’s already… [Read More]
Early Upper St. Clair—A Bridgeville Area Historical Society Presentation
In 1788, Allegheny County consisted of just seven townships and one city: Moon, Fayette, St. Clair, Mifflin, Elizabeth, Versailles, and Plum, plus Pittsburgh. Last night, the Bridgeville Area Historical Society hosted a lecture about the history of St. Clair, which would gradually become many smaller townships, including Bridgeville Borough. Area resident Marjorie (Dolanch) Stein… [Read More]
Bridgeville Historical Society: Cement City, PA
When Thomas Edison’s name is mentioned, most people think of electric light bulbs, phonographs, or motion picture cameras. Maybe even stock tickers or mechanical voting machines. Edison’s less glamorous endeavors are oft-forgotten, like the time he got into the cement business, believing that he could improve the manufacturing process. It didn’t work out business-wise, but… [Read More]
Preserving History With Metal Detectors—A Bridgeville Historical Society Presenation
Standing in front of display boxes full of centuries-old coins, weathered war relics, and other artifacts, Rob Hilt explained how a simple metal detector can help unearth buried history. But it isn’t as simple as going to a field and walking around hoping to find something, he told the Bridgeville Area Historical Society at… [Read More]
Bridgeville Historical Society—Hollywood, WWII & The Movies
Four days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hollywood film director Frank Capra enlisted in the U.S. Army. Fresh off of the success of Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, the 44-year-old Capra was at a career peak and ten years past the military draft age limit. But as an Italian immigrant who found tremendous… [Read More]
Bridgeville Historical Society—Theodore Roosevelt: A Lion in the White House
In 1912, a mentally ill bartender rushed Theodore Roosevelt outside of a Milwaukee hotel and shot the Progressive Party Presidential nominee in the chest with a .32 caliber revolver. Though blood was soaking into the upper left side of his shirt and the bullet was still lodged in his chest, Roosevelt insisted on delivering the… [Read More]