Bethel Park Historical Society hosts open house for Schoolhouse Arts and History Center

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Bethel Park Historical Society hosts open house for Schoolhouse Arts and History Center

Harry Funk | Wednesday, October 23, 2024 11:30 a.m.

Harry Funk | TribLive

Getting into the Halloween spirit outside of the Schoolhouse Arts and History Center in Bethel Park are members of the Hassey family (from left) Kylar, dad David, mom Casi, Kaejay, Kaidyn and Kamrie.

Eight years ago, a recently returned Bethel Park native started contacting media outlets about a project he was promoting.

Bill Haberthur, a 1978 Bethel Park High School graduate who moved back after a career primarily in New York City, wanted to spread the word about plans to renovate the building at 2600 South Park Road that served as an education facility for several decades.

Along with other members of the Bethel Park Historical Society, Haberthur helped in the raising of what has totaled $1.3 million toward making what now is the Schoolhouse Arts and History Center a gem for the community.

The historical society held an open house at the center on Oct. 6, providing guests with an opportunity to view locally significant memorabilia in museum areas dedicated to the military, coal miners and traditional classrooms, all the while enjoying the refurbished ambience of a building with origins dating back nearly 120 years.

Outside the building is a trolley owned and maintained by the municipality of Bethel Park: Pittsburgh Railways Car 1720, which was built by the St. Louis Car Co. and officially retired on June 10, 1987.

The open house further served as a showcase for South Arts Pittsburgh, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year. Among the members’ artwork on display were tole-painted pieces by Jean Benson, who is 106.

South Arts hosts a weekly open studio session on Friday mornings, bi-weekly figure drawing classes on Wednesday evenings and open studio/demonstrations on opposite Wednesdays at the center. Although the sessions are free, a donation of $5 is suggested, and when a model is present, there is a fee of $10 to $12 to cover the cost.

For more information, visit www.southartspittsburgh.org.

Membership in the Bethel Park Historical Society is $20 annually for individuals and $40 for families. Members are invited to attend monthly meetings at 1 p.m. thve last Sunday of the month, and they receive free admission to Senator John Heinz History Center with a membership card.

Tim Moury, historical society president, noted upcoming lectures at the Schoolhouse Arts and History Center:

Bethel Park native Rick Sebak will present “A Short History of Route 88 at 2 p.m. Nov. 2. WQED producer will discuss “The Elizabeth Black Project” at 2 p.m. Nov. 16, and Dick Jewell’s topic for 2 p.m. Nov. 23 is “The Whisky Rebellion — Our Nation’s First Constitutional Test.”

Seating for the programs is limited. If planning to attend, RSVP to historicalsocietybp@gmail.com.

In addition, the Allegheny Land Trust will present “Too Many Bobcats” at 5 p.m. Nov. 11 and “All About Bears” at 6 p.m. Nov. 11. Visit alleghenylandtrust.org/events.

Details

Building history
1905 — Original portion was built as the three-room Bethel Township High School.
1917 — An addition was constructed, and the building became Bethel Park Vocational School, with funding under the federal Smith-Hughes Act of 1917 to provide vocational training.
1934 —Bethel Vocational School became Bethel Grade School.
1990 — The building was designated historic landmark by the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation.
1991 — Bethel Park Historical Society was established as a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
1996 — The building acquired by Bethel Park Historical Society from Bethel Park School District for $1.
2016 — The historical society initiated a $1 million capital campaign to renovate the building, now called the Schoolhouse Arts and History Center.

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