Bethel Park High School German students had the opportunity to explore German heritage through an engaging program at the Bethel Park Historical Society, in partnership with the Heinz History Center's Unlock Your History initiative.
This discussion-based, hands-on event allowed participants to delve into the rich narratives contained in the documents and artifacts they were given.
As the most claimed heritage in the United States, according to the 2000 census, the program provided valuable insights into German history and the challenges of understanding historical documents and artifacts.
Facilitated by Pam Israel from Unlock Your History and Bob Stakeley of the Heinz History Center, the event encouraged attendees to bring personal heirlooms to gain a deeper appreciation of their family stories.
Participants learned how to decipher clues hidden within documents and were given guidance on preserving and caring for their artifacts.
A highlight of the program included a discussion of letters from the Frederick John Osterling family. Frederick J. Osterling, a prominent architect in Pittsburgh, designed several significant buildings, including the Union Trust Building.
This event successfully illustrated how family heirlooms, genealogy, and history intertwine to demonstrate the importance of personal narratives within the broader context of the German-American experience.