Under Development
Welcome to the Pittsburgh Hill District Digital Learning Tool designed for high school and post-secondary classrooms. This collection of modules shares the history of the Hill District from 1920-1957, making connections between community histories and contemporary spaces through primary sources. Understanding the Hill District's history in the first half of the twentieth century is crucial for students exploring August Wilson's Century Cycle plays. By bridging historical realities and the dramatic world, students gain an appreciation for the complexities of the human experience.
In the early half of the twentieth century, the Pittsburgh Hill District became a focal point for jazz, baseball, and journalism. Its urban renewal reflects a broader narrative of transformation seen in urban Black communities across the United States. These modules, created through ArcGIS Story Maps, share the robust history of the Hill using primary sources such as historical photographs, maps, and firsthand accounts. Delve into the lives of cultural and literary figures through linked Pennsylvania Center for the Book biographies. Whether you're a student, educator, or history enthusiast, the Hill District digital learning tool offers an immersive exploration of a significant chapter in American history.
Module Highlights
- Lower Hill: Tour historical locations and meet figures from the former Lower Hill.
- The Pittsburgh Courier: Dive into the history and influence of The Pittsburgh Courier, a pivotal African American newspaper. (under development)
- Music Venues and Jazz Musicians: Explore various music venues and the impact of jazz musicians on the cultural landscape.
- Athletics: Athletics, especially baseball, played an important part in the Hill community, locally and internationally.
- Housing Legislation and its Legacy: Examine legislation that greatly impacted the development of the Lower Hill.
- August Wilson's Hill: Trace Wilson's footsteps from street to stage.
- Older Hill History: Uncover the deeper history of the Hill. (under development)
Tools for Exploration
- Timeline: Gain chronological context through our interactive timeline with links to primary sources and PACFTB articles.
- Module Locations: Explore all locations mentioned within the Learning Tool through an interactive map, perfect for a virtual or physical walking tour using ArcGIS story maps on smartphone devices.
Corresponding Lesson Plans
Forthcoming lesson plans enhance the existing modules by delving deeper into various topics. These lessons foster discussions on equity, the role of journalism in advocacy, community responses to injustice, and the profound connection between August Wilson's plays and the Hill.
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Perspectives in Primary Sources |
People in the Neighborhood |
Timeline |
Bibliography
Explore the linked bibliography, which compiles the resources used in crafting the learning modules and lesson plans. These hyperlinked primary sources provide a foundation for teachers to expand lessons, for students to enhance their knowledge, and for researchers to delve deeper into the history of the Hill District from 1920 to 1957.