Entertainment · Books & Arts · 1 day ago
August Wilson’s Pittsburgh childhood home reopened as an arts center
August Wilson’s childhood home in Pittsburgh’s Hill District reopened in 2022 as a space for arts, education and community activities.
The building had fallen into serious disrepair before actor Denzel Washington helped launch a fundraising campaign in 2018.
The campaign raised $5 million to support its restoration.
Wilson lived in the Bedford Avenue house with his mother and siblings, and the Hill District later influenced his writing.
He became a leading American playwright, known for works including *Fences* and the ten-play Pittsburgh Cycle about African American life across the 20th century.
The restored house preserves a place tied to Wilson’s life while also creating opportunities for emerging artists and writers.
Renovation work took years and was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic; the completed complex combines older parts of the house with a modern addition and accessible facilities.
August Wilson’s childhood home in Pittsburgh reopened as August Wilson House, a 6,000-square-foot arts and community space.
The Bedford Avenue property is in the city’s Hill District, where Wilson grew up with his mother and siblings.
A 2018 fundraising campaign led by actor Denzel Washington raised $5 million for the restoration.
The project was intended to preserve the home and create opportunities for emerging artists and writers.
The renovated complex combines parts of the building dating to the 1840s and 1880s with a contemporary addition.
- Who
- August Wilson’s childhood home reopened as August Wilson House.
- What
- The property reopened as a space for arts, education and community activities.
- When
- Four years after the 2018 fundraising campaign, according to the article.
- Where
- Bedford Avenue in Pittsburgh’s Hill District.
- Why
- To preserve the home associated with Wilson’s childhood and support artists, writers and community activities.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The property received Pittsburgh historic landmark status.
The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Washington visited Pittsburgh to announce a $5 million fundraising campaign.
The building reopened as August Wilson House, four years after the campaign.
- Fundraising campaign
- $5 million
- Property size
- Approximately 6,000 square feet
- Location
- Bedford Avenue, Hill District, Pittsburgh
- Original house
- Dates to the 1840s
- Upstairs expansion
- Dates to the 1880s
What people are saying
a privilege and an honor and a responsibility … and a joy to play a small part in keeping him alive.