History Center & KDKA Hidden Treasures Event & Giveaway

Nearly 1,500 visitors will bring their most prized possessions to the Senator JohnHeinz History Center and meet with professional appraisers at the sixth annual Pittsburgh’s Hidden Treasures event with KDKA-TV on Sunday, Aug. 25, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m and at the end of this post, you have a chance to win TWO tickets to the event!

Nearly 40 appraisers, including experts from Christie's and the Smithsonian, the world's largest fine arts auction house, will assess the historical significance of visitors’ items and provide a verbal assessment of potential monetary value.

KDKA-TV's Dave Crawley, Kimberly Gill, and Mary Robb Jackson will roam the History Center seeking the most interesting items for interviews. The most unique items will be featured as part of special 30 minute programs on KDKA-TV later this year, hosted by KDKA’s Ken Rice and History Center President and CEO Andy Masich.

Appraisers at the Pittsburgh’s Hidden Treasures event have expert knowledge on a variety of antique items, including books, china, Civil War military, coins, collectibles, furniture, glass, jewelry, musical instruments, paintings, photographs, quilts, silver, sports memorabilia, toys, and much more.

In addition to appraisals, professional conservators at the Pittsburgh’s Hidden Treasures event will provide tips on how to preserve visitors’ items, including conservation expert Nora Lockshin from the Smithsonian Institution.

In conjunction with the History Center’s new Pennsylvania’s Civil War exhibition, several Civil War-themed re-enactors, including Clara Barton and Union Army soldiers from the 9^th Pennsylvania regiment, will roam the museum throughout the day and interact with visitors.

The Pittsburgh’s Hidden Treasures event is free for History Center members and included with regular admission for non-members: $15 for adults, $13 for seniors (age 62+), $6 for students and children (age 6-17), and free for children (age 5 and under). 

 

 

But here's your chance to win TWO tickets instead of purchasing them!

This is a partnered post, but all opinions are my own.

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Rain, Rain Go Away - We Wanna Go To Arts Fest!

As I mentioned in my last post, the Three Rivers Arts Festival, hosted by Dollar Bank and the Cultural Trust, is a go! With the big opening night on Friday filled with the new Point State Park fountain and headlining band, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, I'm thinking this year will be the best yet.

Although when Eric and I were down there on Friday we were not able to make it in time to be able to walk around to explore the art booths (I had us on a strict schedule of fountain, food, music) we do plan to go back on Wednesday for our mama's birthday. She's never been to the Arts Fest and is an avid fair goer and visual artist herself, so we're taking her and letting her pick her own present. She's stoked. :)

If you are unfamiliar with the Arts Fest, let me help you. I talked about it briefly last year but basically it is ten straight days of music, food and various kinds of art from mostly local artists. You can check out their daily schedules to help you plan your day, but to be honest, unless you see a specific performer, musician or artist at a certain time then the best you can do is just go down and soak it all in at once. Seriously, this is certainly the kind of thing you can just show up to without any kind of plan and have a fantastic time. See the map below for an idea of where everything is set up.

How could you go wrong with strolling through Point State Park and the Gateway Center grounds looking at (and possibly buying) art, making some art of your own in the Giant Eagle Creativity Zone, listing and watching performances on the three stages and/or eating some fair food? Sound like a great time to me, and judging by the popularity of this event, year after year, the rest of Pittsburgh too! Check it out, especially if you haven't before and be sure to walk to the very end of the Park to see the newly renovated fountain as well. Enjoy!

The main stage - Dollar Bank Stage - at the far end of the first lawn in Point State Park.

Hey guys - I finallllllllly saw Donora!!!!!! If you remember me wishing for this in a previous post.

Alex and Jade of Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, this year's headlining band.

They invited this lucky kid, Nelson, up on stage with them for a song during Friday's show.

What I think of first when I think of Arts Fest - street performers everywhere!

Map from the Arts Fest website so you know where everything is located :)