Here are some of the highlights of Mellon Square's
history:
- Built in 1953, Mellon Square park is considered to be the first
"green roof", as the entire park covers a downtown parking garage
originally used by ALCOA employees. (ALCOA's headquarters were
across the street in what is now called the Regional Enterprise
Tower.)
- The creation of the park was spearheaded by Richard King
Mellon, and paid for by the Mellon family foundation. Upon
completion, the park was handed over to the city of Pittsburgh who
has owned and maintained it to this day.
- The park contains an historical marker commemorating the nearby
creation of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) on Nov. 15,
1881. This labor union would eventually merge with the Congress of
Industrial Organizations to form the AFL-CIO.
- The park was used as the backdrop for an important scene in the
2002 film "The Mothman Prophecies" with Richard Gere.
You can learn more about the park's interesting history in this
14 minute video: http://www.pittsburghparks.org/mellonsquarevideo
Congratulations to "1 guy 1 girl and a dog" for being the
FTF!
Note: Please be careful not to lose the tiny metal stick in the
center of the scroll. This stick is used to help wind the scroll
tightly so that it fits back into the small container. Thanks!