Title
125th Anniversary Proclamation for Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Body
WHEREAS Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra will begin celebrating their 125th anniversaries of sharing knowledge, art and music with the Pittsburgh community; and
WHEREAS On November 5, 1895, Philanthropist Andrew Carnegie dedicated the building that housed Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Main Library, Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, and Carnegie Music Hall; and
WHEREAS Mr. Carnegie was inspired by his own history to use his wealth to build libraries that were “free to the people” to make knowledge and learning accessible to everyone; and
WHEREAS Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh’s Main Library opened with approximately 16,000 items and now holds more than 975,000 items. In the Library's first year, 109,750 people visited and 116,841 items circulated. In 2019, usage has grown across all 19 locations to include 2.7 million people visiting and 3.9 million items circulating; and
WHEREAS Andrew Carnegie gifted his museums to Pittsburgh so that all people could explore the world through the wonders of art and science; and
WHEREAS Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh has since grown to include four museums, adding the Carnegie Science Center and The Andy Warhol Museum to its collection of world-class museums; and
WHEREAS Mr. Carnegie’s vision for Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh is alive and well 125 years later and continues to transform lives through a greatly expanded collection of experiences that reach more than 1.5 million people a year; and
WHEREAS The vision of Andrew Carnegie that the Pittsburgh Orchestra should "take a permanent place among the great symphonic organizations of the country" when few cities had one, came to fruition with the opening of the Carnegie Music Hall, which became the first home of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
WHEREAS The multi-GRAMMY Award-winning Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is one of the world's great orchestras, with a 125-year history of engaging the finest conductors and musicians, and a deep commitment to Pittsburgh and its people through its concerts, recordings, radio and television broadcasts, and community engagement.
WHEREAS The joy of hearing symphonic music has enhanced the lives and been a source of civic pride since the Orchestra's founding and for the many generations that have followed; and
WHEREAS After 125 years, these three community organizations continue to educate and inspire the people of Pittsburgh.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby congratulate Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra on celebrating 125 years and looks forward to the activities planned for the yearlong celebration of the milestone; and,
BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Pittsburgh does hereby declare Monday, November 9th of 2020 as “Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Day” in the City of Pittsburgh.