History & Heritage Center finds ways to survive challenges of a pandemic

By JEFF STITT

jstitt@yourmvi.com

Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the staff at McKeesport Regional History & Heritage Center has worked to provide patrons with opportunities to enjoy museum amenities and resources from a distance.

The center was forced to close in March as a result of pandemic shutdown orders, but reopened under specialized virus mitigation measures in June. The staff enforces social distancing, mask wearing and sanitizing procedures in an effort to protect staff, volunteers, members and patrons from the spread of COVID-19. 

Still, there are some regular museum members and volunteers who aren’t quite comfortable visiting a museum in the midst of a pandemic, said Community Outreach Director Teresa Trich. 

Asked if patrons and members have been visiting since the center reopened, Trich said, “They’re coming in, but not as much as they used to.” 

To try and stay connected with those who can’t make it to the museum in person, the center’s staff has been offering virtual programming, such as Museum Director Dave Moore’s video “Fireside Chats” on Facebook where he talks about a host of historical topics and themes such as baseball and golf history, local athletes who made their mark, women’s suffrage, local arts and entertainment history, Kennywood history, veterans stories, history and affairs and more.

To further extend virtual outreach, Moore has used Facebook and Instagram a to engage patrons, Mon Valley residents and McKeesport-area natives who’ve moved far away with reading through the use of a hashtag.

Born during the COVID-19 pandemic, the #CuratorsBookClub is Moore’s creation. Every two weeks, he recommends a book “related to some area of history for members, volunteers and social media followers to dive into.”

The most recent selection is “The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic and Madness at the Fair that Changed America” by Erik Larson.

“Are y’all ready for a new book?!” Moore wrote in the social media post announcing the book. “This is one of my absolute favorite true crime/history books. 

“Erik Larson, a phenomenal writer, takes you back to the late 19th Century and America’s bid to host the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. Interwoven in his tale is the story of H.H. Holmes, a ‘pharmacist’ in Chicago who created a building on the streets of Chicago known as the ‘Murder Castle.’ 

To read the rest of this story, please to our online edition at https://e.monvalleyindependent.com.