FIRST READ

PITTSBURGH’S EASTER EGGS

Underrated attractions, historic sites and outdoor adventures hidden in plain sight.

By Harrison Cann

The Clemente Museum is housed in historic Engine House 25 in Pittsburgh’s Lawrenceville section.

THE SPRING SEASON brings new life to nature, a new sense of exploration and the observances of Easter, Passover and Ramadan. Whether you were a child anxiously searching for the golden egg on Easter Sunday or looking for the afikomen on Passover, you remember well the thrill of finding a prize hidden in plain sight. Each city has its own cache of Easter eggs – hidden gems waiting to be revealed – and Pittsburgh is no exception. Here are a few of them to discover yourself.

Roberto Clemente Museum

The Roberto Clemente Museum, which preserves the legacy of the late Pittsburgh Pirates legend, is one of state Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa’s favorite places to visit in the city. The museum showcases not only Clemente’s playing career and the racial and language barriers he faced, but also his humanitarian efforts off the field. Located in the historic Engine House 25 in Lawrenceville, the museum offers “an incredible collection of (Clemente’s) possessions, uniforms and photos,” said Costa, who “learns something new about this amazing Pittsburgher” every time he goes.

Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens

Although it’s known as the Steel City, Pittsburgh has its fair share of attractions for nature lovers. State Rep. Valerie Gaydos, who hails from the Moon Township area, said the Botanic Gardens will soon become one of the best in the nation. Going from abandoned mine land to a 460-acre getaway in Oakdale, the gardens’ history is “really phenomenal,” Gaydos said. The gardens debuted a $10.5 million welcome center and café earlier this year and will host an art exhibition showcasing flora and fauna from April 8 through June 25.

West View Hub (top); Gilfillan Farm (center); the Woodville Experience (bottom); and Wightman Park (right) are favorite locations among some of Pittsburgh’s elected officials.

West View HUB

The West View HUB is a community center housed in the old PNC Bank on Perry Highway. It aims to be a one-stop shop for the community, offering a library with computers and internet access, a food pantry, counseling services, a senior center and more. State Rep. Emily Kinkead said the center is a remarkable resource. “These kinds of community gathering places for residents of every age are far too rare these days and the HUB is doing great work to build up not just the community in West View, but throughout the North Hills region,” she said.

Gilfillan Farm

In Upper St. Clair, just south of Pittsburgh, lies Gilfillan Farm, which State Rep. Natalie Mihalek and her family enjoy visiting whenever possible. Originally purchased by the Gilfillan family in 1849, the 135-acre farm is now an outdoor event venue that hosts everything from weddings to corporate and family events. Mihalek said: “While it sits just across South Hills Village Mall, when you step onto the property, you are propelled back in time.” Upper St. Clair now owns and operates the outer 60 acres of the farm, including its walking trails.

Woodville Experience

Just southeast of Pittsburgh, this historic site in Woodville dates back to 1785. “Pittsburgh is immeasurably fortunate to have this piece of history right in our own backyard,” said state Sen. Devlin Robinson. The home was originally owned by John Neville, a Fort Pitt commander and tax collector during the 18th-century uprising of farmers and distillers against a whiskey tax – known as the Whiskey Rebellion. Today, it stands as one of the oldest houses in Western Pennsylvania and offers historic tours, and candle-making and cooking demonstrations.

Wightman Park

Wightman Park, located in the heart of Squirrel Hill, “may not occupy a ton of space, but it packs a lot of character into its four corners,” said Pittsburgh City Council member Erika Strassburger. Wightman has a lot to offer, including a playground, picnic shelter and tree canopies. It underwent stormwater renovations in 2020 and now doubles as a retention project, hoping to solve neighborhood drainage problems. Its green infrastructure, including rain gardens and retention tanks under the park, is estimated to capture 2 million gallons of stormwater a year. ■