Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Round Table

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Allison Park, PA
Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Round Table

We are a group of Civil War enthusiasts who meet monthly at the Hampton Community Center in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, PA.

Mailing Address:
GPCWRT
c/o Rick Swack
102 Allison Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15238

09/02/2026

Last weekend, members of the round table enjoyed our annual trip to Gettysburg. We had a great turnout for the programs “Comparing the Leadership of General George Meade and General Robert E. Lee” presented by LBG Mary Turk-Meena, and “Gunfight at the Peach Orchard” with LBG Ralph Siegel. Thank you to everyone who joined us for a memorable day of learning and discussion.

08/26/2026

The next History Chicks tour is just one month away - September 26, 2026. This years program will feature new artifacts at the Thomas Espy GAR post at the Carnegie Library and a guided walk of the Chartiers Cemetery, which was organized in 1861.

In addition to being the resting place of hundreds of Civil War veterans, the cemetery includes the resting place of a slave who fought for the Union, 2 Medal of Honor recipients and a veterans section of servicemen who fought in WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. We will also visit a memorial stone for a young woman who lost her life in the sinking of the Titanic.

Join the Chicks on September 26 at 9:00 am at the Civil War Monument in Chartiers Cemetery and stay for lunch at Elly’s in Carnegie.

08/18/2026

Thanks again to Jim Wudarczyk and Tom Powers for pinch-hitting at the last minute Monday night. Their fascinating presentation explained how Iron City’s place in Pittsburgh’s history includes much more than beer, though beer is certainly a big part!

Join us next month at our regularly scheduled time of 7:00 when Robert Hilliard presents “Spies, Slaves, and Secrets of the Civil War” on September 21.

08/16/2026

AUGUST PROGRAM UPDATE

Our scheduled speaker has come down with an illness and has been forced to reschedule.

Jim Wudarczyk and Tom Powers have agreed to step in and provide the following presentation:

Iron City Beer’s history goes back even further than many Pittsburghers realize. The story begins in the 1850s, when Augustus Hoeveler became involved with a brewery in the Strip District. By 1861, the operation had evolved into what became the Iron City Brewery.

But Hoeveler’s Pittsburgh story didn’t end with brewing. A successful businessman who had also entered the glue industry, his name is also associated with Iron City Park, a popular picnic and recreation area in what is now Lawrenceville.

Join us August 17 at 6:00.

08/03/2026

We are 1 week away from our next meeting.

Join us on Monday, August 17 when Bill Binzel presents “Mary Surratt - Innocent or Guilty?"

In 1865, Mrs. Surratt was convicted as a conspirator in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and was hanged, becoming the first woman ever to be executed by the federal government. The controversy over it remains to this day. Who was Mary Surratt? Why was she charged as a conspirator? Was she innocent or guilty?

The meeting starts at 6:00, our last early meeting of the year.

07/21/2026

Thank you to Matt Borders for his excellent presentation on Lew Wallace last night.
We had a great turnout for Matt's program on one of the Civil War's more controversial figures, exploring Wallace's military service, leadership and legacy as a renowned author.

And thanks to all of our members who showed up to represent the round table in their Arsenal shirts and hats.

Our next meeting is Monday August 17 when Bill Binzel presents “Mary Surratt - Innocent or Guilty?"

07/12/2026

Join us on Monday, July 20, as the round table welcomes battlefield guide and author Matt Borders for a presentation on Major General Lew Wallace.

General Wallace led Union forces at Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Monocacy, where his defense helped delay the Confederate advance on Washington. After the Civil War, he achieved worldwide fame as the author of Ben-Hur, one of the best-selling novels of the 19th century.

The meeting starts at 6:00. Don’t forget to wear your Round Table gear!

07/01/2026

Show Your Colors!

Wear your Greater Pittsburgh Civil War Round Table hat or shirt to our July 20 meeting and let’s fill the room with round table spirit.

All participants will receive 3 free book raffle tickets!

06/16/2026

We want to extend a special thank you to Michael Krauss for filling in at the last minute yesterday. After we learned that Dr. MaryBeth Allison had 2 flights cancelled, Michael agreed to step in and deliver an outstanding presentation on just a few hours notice.

His presentation included a history of the Congressional Medal of Honor, its connection to the Civil War, and a look at Allegheny County residents who were awarded the medal.

We are working with Dr. Allison to reschedule.

Join us next month when Matt Borders presents “Major General Lew Wallace” on July 20 at 6:00.

06/08/2026

What was life really like for Civil War prisoners of war? Join us on June 15 when Dr. MaryBeth Allison explores the experiences of Union and Confederate POWs through their letters, diaries and memoirs. Discover how faith, purpose, community and resilience helped prisoners endure captivity and find hope amid hardship.

The meeting starts at 6:00 and is available on Zoom for members.

Address

3200 Lochner Way
Allison Park, PA
15101

Website

http://www.grpghcwrt.com/

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