We thought we’d spend a moment with Pittsburgh’s favorite neighbor: Mister Rogers. Fred Rogers’ work wasn’t done when the WQED cameras stopped rolling — he spent ample time hosting and visiting young fans. “I feel that those of us in television are chosen to be servants,” he said in 1999, upon his induction into the Television Hall of Fame. “It doesn’t matter what our particular job [is], we are chosen to help meet the deeper needs of those who watch and listen — day and night!”
Mister Rogers and the Pittsburgh Community
Above, he plays the piano for visiting students from Hazelwood’s Burgwin Elementary School (now Propel Hazelwood). While frequent costar François “Officer” Clemmons looks on. Pittsburghers and visitors can take a trip to Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood anytime. The Heinz History Center hosts the largest publicly accessible collection of items and set pieces from the iconic show.
Story by Sean Collier
Photo from March 1972, Courtesy of the Detre Library & Archives at the Heinz History Center