The Wilkinsburg Sun is the Newsletter for our home town. Though many of us, including yours truly, have scattered around the country, I know there are many members of the Class of ’64 that have interests or just curiosity about what is happening in Wilkinsburg. Here is a direct link to the good things taking place in the borough and the best part is, it is FREE! Just GOOGLE Wilkinsburg Sun and it takes you to a page with simple direction to have each new issue sent to your inbox.
This 1916 image shows the unveiling and dedication of Wilkinsburg’s first Lincoln statue. At that time, the Civil War veterans were honored guests. The statue was draped in an American flag.
Pictures from the second Lincoln Statue Unveiling
July 24, 2021
Master of Ceremonies Andrew Stockey, anchor and sports director from neighboring WTAE Channel 4. Stockey is standing with Susan Wagner, the artist/sculptor who created the bronze Lincoln statue. Wagner’s artistic works are well known all over Pittsburgh and beyond. She sculpted Clemente, Stargell and Mazeroski at PNC park, Dr. Starzl at the Pitt Campus, Fallen Officer memorial on the North Shore, as well as numerous bas relief bronze for the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Opera singer Chantal Braziel singing Lift Every Voice and Sing. In the background is Jonathan Ray, executive director of Pittsburgh Urban Christian School, whose speech “Free to be Great” was inspirational. “Abraham Lincoln,” aka Kevin Santillo, in the background, made several guest appearances to comment on the festivities. Other speakers included TribLIVE journalist Paul Guggenheimer who gave a stirring reading of the Emancipation Proclamation and its unprecedented significance. Keynote speaker David Wiegers is one of America’s best-known authorities on Abraham Lincoln. He gave a memorable speech, “At a Crossroads.”
Wilkinsburg Historical Society President Anne Elise Morris officially presented the Lincoln statue, entitled Forever Free, to the people of Wilkinsburg, past, present and future. Additionally, she thanked the donors, individuals, organizations, and businesses who contributed. Her grandson Eli Douglass unveiled the bronze plaque that accompanies the statue
This 1916 image shows the unveiling and dedication of Wilkinsburg’s first Lincoln statue. At that time, the Civil War veterans were honored guests. The statue was draped in an American flag.
Master of Ceremonies Andrew Stockey, anchor and sports director from neighboring WTAE Channel 4. Stockey is standing with Susan Wagner, the artist/sculptor who created the bronze Lincoln statue. Wagner’s artistic works are well known all over Pittsburgh and beyond. She sculpted Clemente, Stargell and Mazeroski at PNC park, Dr. Starzl at the Pitt Campus, Fallen Officer memorial on the North Shore, as well as numerous bas relief bronze for the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
Opera singer Chantal Braziel singing Lift Every Voice and Sing. In the background is Jonathan Ray, executive director of Pittsburgh Urban Christian School, whose speech “Free to be Great” was inspirational. “Abraham Lincoln,” aka Kevin Santillo, in the background, made several guest appearances to comment on the festivities. Other speakers included TribLIVE journalist Paul Guggenheimer who gave a stirring reading of the Emancipation Proclamation and its unprecedented significance. Keynote speaker David Wiegers is one of America’s best-known authorities on Abraham Lincoln. He gave a memorable speech, “At a Crossroads.”
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