A new historic walking tour is raising funds for a proposed library and community center in Aspinwall.

Terry Nelson Taylor, Aspinwall historian and longtime resident, is volunteering her time and tour guide skills, offering monthly walking tours around the borough that was founded in 1892.

All proceeds from the Aspinwall History Walking Tours will benefit the Aspinwall Library and Community Center, a nonprofit founded in 2019 by Aspinwall residents Christian and Amy Lima.

“I appreciate Terry’s efforts tremendously,” Amy Lima said. “We are so grateful for her enthusiasm and support of our project to create a library and community center in Aspinwall. She is a treasure to our town.”

The Limas moved to Aspinwall 13 years ago and spearheaded the plans to add a library and community space in the borough.

The closest library for Aspinwall residents is the Cooper-Siegal Community Library, about 3 miles away in O’Hara Township.

Christian is a physician. Amy, a nurse practitioner, is at home raising their three children.

Amy Lima said their mission is simple: to provide a library and community space for residents that is walkable in Aspinwall.

The community space is envisioned as multipurpose space that could offer activities such as social gatherings, educational opportunities, after-school programs, a learning space, game nights, senior-related events and more.

Taylor is a retired Fox Chapel Area School District librarian who serves as the district’s forensics team coach and is the librarian at Redeemer Lutheran High School.

In 1992, Taylor penned an Aspinwall history book, “Aspinwall: The Town That Pride Built.”

Aspinwall was named after Mrs. George Annie Aspinwall, a New York resident who sold 155 acres to the Aspinwall Land Co.

The land company began selling lots in the late 1800s to mostly upper-middle-class folks seeking to build homes there.

Taylor’s personalized one-hour tours welcome all ages, are handicapped accessible and offer the story of Aspinwall’s founding and development. They also highlight prominent borough families.

Taylor included about 10 stops on the tour that includes two secret gardens.

Her own historic Victorian home on Eastern Avenue, designed by Swedish-born Hedwig Carlson Fehr, is the final stop on the tour.

Tours depart from Aspinwall Beans ‘n’ Cream coffee shop at 16 Brilliant Ave.

Ann Pistritto of Aspinwall said she decided to book a tour, even though she’s resided in Aspinwall for eight years and is familiar with the layout of borough.

“I like history,” said Pistritto, a docent at the Heinz History Center.

Pistritto said Taylor offered what she called a “gregarious” tour.

“She is knowledgeable, open to questions, and we ended the tour with refreshments at her home,” Pistritto said. “I learned about a house on Brilliant Avenue that is shorter than the other houses because the man that lived there put in a special lining on the floor — because he was a chemist creating sauces for Heinz.”

That man was Edward Duckwall, who had a lead-covered floor in his home’s third story, part of his secret at-home lab for developing Heinz sauces.

Aspinwall resident Barbara Ajak said she took a tour led by Taylor about 20 years ago.

“She’s a good storyteller and points out things you never would have noticed. When I take my walks, I look at the structure of the buildings more, and I notice different things you wouldn’t notice unless you have taken Terry’s tour,” Ajak said.

The Aspinwall Library and Community Center has yet to secure a brick-and-mortar location. Leasing a space may be their next step.

The nonprofit set a fundraising goal of $2.2 million.

Taylor’s tours have raised hundreds of dollars, and Amy Lima said about $70,000 has been pledged to the nonprofit.

Aspinwall resident Mary Ann Wolfe offered to donate 4,000 books from her private collection to the library.

Taylor said she will consider adding additional tours this fall to raise additional funds and educate the public about Aspinwall’s rich history.

“It’s very important, especially for the younger generation, to have a great appreciation and respect for those who came before us,” Taylor said. “Those who have worked hard and lived the American dream right here in Aspinwall.”

To donate to the Aspinwall Library and Community Center and book a walking tour click here.

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