Presidential exhibit marks new era at McKeesport center

By JIM BUSCH

For the Mon Valley Independent

The McKeesport History and Heritage Center is marking Presidents Day with a month-long celebration of the Tube City’s ties to our country’s leaders. 

This exhibit marks a new beginning for the popular local museum and archive. Starting Jan. 1, John Catone took over the reins of the organization as its new executive director and Dave Moore filled the newly created position of museum manager. 

The two men quickly put together an informative display of photos and artifacts to showcase the area’s ties to American presidents from George Washington to Barack Obama. 

Moore said his initial research found that as many as 35 of the 45 men who’ve led the United States have traveled through the area during their lives. Time constraints did not allow him to research each presidential visit in detail, but he was able to document the visits of some of our most famous presidents, including George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, William McKinley, Harry S. Truman, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. The exhibit features vintage photographs, artwork and memorabilia related to the region’s presidential visitors. 

To read the rest of this story, please see a copy of Monday’s Mon Valley Independent, call 724-314-0035 to subscribe or subscribe to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.