Bridging PAST + FUTURE The structure was a subject of postcards in the early 20th century, like this colorized one, ca. 1909. Courtesy of Tony Indovina.
Educational Usage of the Neill Log House By Charles Stewart III
SIX LOCAL NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, including the Squirrel Hill Historical Society and the Squirrel Hill Urban Coalition (SHUC), together with the Pittsburgh Department of Public Works officially formed Friends of Neill Log House (FONLH) in October 2021. The Neill Log House in Schenley Park, one of only a handful of structures still existing in Pittsburgh from the 1700s, was designated a Pittsburgh Historic Landmark in 1977. The log house is believed to have been built by Robert Neill around 1795. Because the cabin’s last major reconstruction was over 50 years ago, in 1969, it has been deteriorating, and The interior of the cabin might someday be experienced through immersive media like virtual reality. Photo courtesy of Helen Wilson.
part of the mission of FONLH is to “secure funds to restore and maintain the Neill Log House.” The second part of its mission is to “foster knowledge of its historic significance, and work with interested parties to ensure the continued educational use of the structure and its site for future generations.” Both the Building/Design and Fundraising committees of FONLH have been hard at work, so preparing for the log house’s educational usage seems to be the natural next step and aligns with learning about its historical significance and fundraising objectives as well. When FONLH first reached out to Chatham University about becoming an educational partner, David Finegold,
The National Parks Service included this ca. 1900 photograph of the Neill Log House in its Historic American Buildings Survey. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.
Chatham’s president, enthusiastically connected members of FONLH with faculty members Lou Martin and Kyra Tucker.
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