Ask just about anyone to name a prominent Pittsburgher, and you’re likely to hear Fred Rogers’ name at least a few times. Never mind that the beloved children’s entertainer, educator, and minister is actually from Latrobe, about 45 minutes from downtown. Pittsburghers have made Mister Rogers our own (and rightly so since Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was filmed at WQED’s studios in Pittsburgh). The Mister Rogers statue in Pittsburgh, in fact, is a must-visit for anyone who grew up visiting the Land of Make Believe.
Generations of Pittsburghers - and Americans - grew up with Mister Rogers, our gentle and kind neighbor, who would greet us every day with a smile…
Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain Today’s children still travel to the Land of Make Believe on Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.
Change his shoes, and zip up his sweater before taking us all on a trolley ride to the Land of Make Believe.
Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
Once there we’d learn lessons from all of its colorful characters - Henrietta Owl, King Friday, and Purple Panda. Mr. McFeely, Chef Brockett, and Officer Clemmons would visit, too.
Wikipedia/David Pinkerton
Mister Rogers, along with his beloved wife Joanne, became Western Pennsylvania’s favorite neighbors. We’d visit his neighborhood - as kids then maybe as parents - until the final episode aired in 2001.
Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
Just two years after that last episode, on February 27, 2003, Fred Rogers passed away from stomach cancer. His death inspired the Mister Rogers Statue on the North Shore.
Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
Commissioned by Mellon heiress, philanthropist, and friend of Fred Rogers, Cordelia May, the Mister Rogers Statue debuted on the North Shore in 2009.
Trip Advisor/Marilyn M.
The Tribute to Children, the statue’s official name, was designed by Robert Berks, his final work of art, at a cost of $3 million.
Trip Advisor/Andres C.
An abandoned pier on the North Shore seemed the perfect location and, at the suggestion of architect Lou Astorino, it became the home of The Tribute to Children.
Trip Advisor/Cassidy C. Mister Rogers was well-known as a swimmer, making the riverfront location of the statue more than fitting.
The 3.5-ton statue measures 10 feet, 10 inches tall, and is easy accessible to anyone visiting Pittsburgh.
Trip Advisor/Jeffrey F.
Today, the Mister Rogers statue watches over the city, drawing visitors from Pittsburgh and beyond.
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Have you been to the Mister Rogers Statue in Pittsburgh? What did you think? Let us know in the comments! If you love Mister Rogers, you’ll fall head over heels for the Fred Rogers Trail near Pittsburgh.
Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
Today’s children still travel to the Land of Make Believe on Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood.
Wikipedia/David Pinkerton
Trip Advisor/Marilyn M.
Trip Advisor/Andres C.
Trip Advisor/Cassidy C.
Mister Rogers was well-known as a swimmer, making the riverfront location of the statue more than fitting.
Trip Advisor/Jeffrey F.
Trip Advisor/Mbv9415
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Address: North Shore, Pittsburgh, PA 15212, USA
