Carnegie’s Gift to Pittsburgh: A History of the Carnegie Institute
Special Event | Registration opens 5/1/2025 9:00 AM EDT
By the end of the nineteenth century Andrew Carnegie was considered the richest man in the world. He owed his wealth to the massive growth of industry after the Civil War in his adopted home of Pittsburgh. Carnegie believed that no man should die wealthy; wealth should be invested in projects that would advance science and culture. His gift to Pittsburgh in 1895 had four components: a museum of art, a museum of natural history, a central library, and a music hall. The project was massively expanded just 12 years later. This richly illustrated lecture will cover the creation and development of the Carnegie Institute and its impact on the Oakland district and the City of Pittsburgh.
Paul Tellers
Paul Tellers, RA is an architect and planner. He was the University Architect at Carnegie Mellon University, the Director of Planning at WTW Architects, Facilities Planning Director for a CUNY college in New York, and a Project Manager for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Paul’s community service included the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh, Oakland Task Force, Pittsburgh Historic Review Commission, Mt. Washington Community Development Corp., Mt. Lebanon Planning Board, and the Chatham Village Charitable Trust. Paul currently serves as a guide for historical Pittsburgh tours for Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, Rivers of Steel, Doors Open Pittsburgh, and Bike the Burgh. Paul teaches lifelong learning courses at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. Paul is a docent at the Carnegie Museum of Art and a member of the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh.