Author: Rick Sebak
Anne Royall grew up just outside Pittsburgh but didn’t see it until she was a renowned journalist.
Three sisters from Ambridge became such devoted fans of the crooner Johnny Mathis that they eventually welcomed him as a houseguest.
The future French president was generally a fan of Pittsburgh but made one poor decision during a 2006 visit.
Duquesne basketball legend Chuck Cooper broke the NBA’s color line in 1950; next year, he’s getting a posthumous, one-of-a-kind honor at his former campus.
During the Civil War, a British writer was enchanted by Pittsburgh’s dirt and soot.
Sebak is the foremost expert on the diners of the Pittsburgh region — he made the documentary “Pennsylvania Diners and Other Roadside Restaurants” in 1993 and has been frequenting local greasy spoons ever since. We asked him to share his picks for the area’s five best.
A world renowned French pantomime artist, an astronaut, a TV news anchor and a beloved chef are among the notable visitors to Mister Rogers' neighborhood.
The parade of prominent people started early and continues today.
Beneath a longstanding Strip District church, visitors could once descend into catacombs.
A futuristic attraction at the Allegheny County Fair drew a curious Walt Disney to Pittsburgh — and had a lasting impact on modern transportation.
Enjoying memories is fun – but a far cry from pining for the past.
John Brashear dedicated his life to science — and his wife, Phoebe.
Robin Williams’ character in the hit movie was based on an accomplished Pittsburgh DJ.
Multi-talented performer Dan Rice may be “the most famous man you've never heard of.”
The First Lady's many area trips endeared her to the region — and one community in particular.
Rick Sebak details how the establishment of the European nation began with a meeting Downtown.
The storied grappler captured the imagination — and the hearts — of generations of Pittsburghers.
A quartet of local soldiers played a role in Lincoln’s final hours.
Research into Andrew Carnegie’s marriage reveals an unlikely, albeit tenuous, connection between the Pittsburgh icon and the 45th President.
Robert Garland helped initiate the shifting of time in America.
In a league of his own making, the famous writer cast himself as the skipper of a (fantasy) Pittsburgh ball club.
A look back at the the Pittsburgh journey of jazz great Billy Strayhorn.
The musical “Hamilton” made its subject a hero again, but Alexander Hamilton wasn’t always beloved in western Pennsylvania.
Exploring the role Pittsburgh played in the life of the quirky songwriter Loudon Wainwright III.