Here’s The Story Behind The Mister Rogers Statue In Pittsburgh
By Beth Price-Williams|Published March 07, 2022
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Beth Price-Williams
Author
A professional writer for more than two decades, Beth has lived in nearly a dozen states – from Missouri and Virginia to Connecticut and Vermont – and Toronto, Canada. In addition to traveling extensively in the U.S. and the U.K., she has a BA in Journalism from Point Park University (PA), a MA in Holocaust & Genocide Studies from Stockton University (NJ), and a Master of Professional Writing from Chatham University (PA). A writer and editor for Only In Your State since 2016, Beth grew up in and currently lives outside of Pittsburgh and when she’s not writing or hanging out with her bunnies, budgies, and chinchilla, she and her daughter are out chasing waterfalls.
Ask just about anyone to name a prominent Pittsburgher, and you’re likely to hear Fred Rogers’ name at least a few times. Never mind that the beloved children’s entertainer, educator, and minister is actually from Latrobe, about 45 minutes from downtown. Pittsburghers have made Mister Rogers our own (and rightly so since Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was filmed at WQED’s studios in Pittsburgh). The Mister Rogers statue in Pittsburgh, in fact, is a must-visit for anyone who grew up visiting the Land of Make Believe.
Generations of Pittsburghers - and Americans - grew up with Mister Rogers, our gentle and kind neighbor, who would greet us every day with a smile...
Once there we'd learn lessons from all of its colorful characters - Henrietta Owl, King Friday, and Purple Panda. Mr. McFeely, Chef Brockett, and Officer Clemmons would visit, too.
Mister Rogers, along with his beloved wife Joanne, became Western Pennsylvania's favorite neighbors. We'd visit his neighborhood - as kids then maybe as parents - until the final episode aired in 2001.
Just two years after that last episode, on February 27, 2003, Fred Rogers passed away from stomach cancer. His death inspired the Mister Rogers Statue on the North Shore.
An abandoned pier on the North Shore seemed the perfect location and, at the suggestion of architect Lou Astorino, it became the home of The Tribute to Children.
Have you been to the Mister Rogers Statue in Pittsburgh? What did you think? Let us know in the comments! If you love Mister Rogers, you’ll fall head over heels for the Fred Rogers Trail near Pittsburgh.
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