Category: default || By jt3y

A film crew is in McKeesport right now doing preliminary work on a proposed feature-length documentary about Our Fair City. I've known about this for some time, but I wasn't sure if I was supposed to say anything.

Well, one of the members of the crew posted the information on his blog yesterday, so I guess the cat is out of the bag.

I don't want to spill too many beans (mixed-metaphor alert: a cat is out of the bag spilling beans) because I don't know if I'm supposed to, but a prominent philanthropist with McKeesport roots is underwriting the project. At last report, the documentary was going to look at the city's history and the challenges that have faced it since the steel mill closings of the 1980s.

Maybe this will do for McKeesport what Groundhog Day did for Punxsutawney. (On the other hand, I suppose it could also do for McKeesport what Jaws did for beach vacations.)

Just don't mention Roger & Me, which examined the effect that the decline of the auto industry had on Flint, Mich. I made the mistake of making that comparison with someone involved in the McKeesport project and my ears are still ringing.

. . .

Speaking of History: I have a confession to make. I've gotten a sneak peek at the new history book compiled by the McKeesport Heritage Center.

It's not supposed to be released until June 26, but a little birdie let me see an advance copy. It's a real beaut.

The book is being printed by Arcadia Publishing, a South Carolina-based company that has turned quickie history books into a cottage industry. You've seen Arcadia's sepia-toned paperbacks at the book store --- they currently have volumes out about Duquesne, Homestead, Greensburg, Latrobe and the Pitt Panthers, among other topics.

(I even saw one last week about Forest Hills. You wouldn't think there would be enough old photos to fill a book, but there are.)

My problem with some of the Arcadia books, as I've mentioned before, has been their uneven quality. Some of the books are excellent, but others are padded out with poor-quality photos, multiple views of the same subject, or blurry postcards; I have a feeling Arcadia will print whatever you send them.

That's not the case with the McKeesport book, which is titled, fittingly, McKeesport, and I don't think my reaction is mere chauvinism. Volunteers at the Heritage Center obviously took a lot of time compiling and selecting the images, many of which are of exceptionally high quality.

The Heritage Center has an extensive photo library that includes many pictures donated by the late Irv Saylor, longtime chief photographer of the Daily News. Add the G.C. Murphy Co. archives, photos taken by the Redevelopment Authority, and many, many others donated, and they have a deep selection of professional quality shots available.

If you grew up around here, you've seen some of them before, like the photo of the ill-fated pedestrian mall on Fifth Avenue in the early 1960s. But many others have probably never been published before --- like family photos from prominent and not-so-prominent local residents, for instance.

This is not a full-blown history of McKeesport. It's a photo book, and the information is contained in the captions. But as an inexpensive reference source it's going to be invaluable. And because it's mostly pictures, it's a lot of fun to look through.

Besides the obvious nostalgia value this will have for current and former residents, I hope it becomes a teaching tool for kids to learn about local history.

While the book will be sold in stores and online, Ellen Show of the Heritage Center says they would appreciate it if you'd buy it from there --- the proceeds will more directly support their activities. To reserve a copy, call (412) 678-1832 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, or 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. The book costs $20, payable at delivery.

After June 26, the book will be on sale in the Heritage Center, 1832 Arboretum Drive, Renzie Park.

Tell 'em Tube City Almanac sent you. You won't get a discount or anything, but tell 'em anyway.