It’s Always Local History Day in the Stacks

Whether you got to attend Local History Day 2024 or missed out, it’s always a great day to find local history materials at Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh and learn a bit more about the Steel City. You can browse our resources and services by going to the Archives at CLP LibGuide, look at many old photos at Historic Pittsburgh, check out this catalog list of new & notable items added to the local history collections books, and check out an item highlighted in this list, showing a small fraction of the wealth of local history writing available in our library system. 


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If you are new to our eResources, check out these tutorial videos on how to get started.     

If you’re looking for more book suggestions, we’re happy to recommend them to you! Use this Book Recommendation form to send us some information about what you like to read and we’ll curate a list just for you.    

If you have any additional questions, you can contact a librarian through Facebook, Instagram or X. You can also call us at 412-622-3114 or email us at info@carnegielibrary.org  

Allegheny City: a History of Pittsburgh’s North Side

Before it was the North Side, it was the third-largest city in the state of Pennsylvania, called Allegheny City. Read about its storied history in this book written by North Side residents and experts Dan Rooney and Carol Peterson.


Dream Street: W. Eugene Smith’s Pittsburgh Project

In this new edition of W. Eugene Smith’s classic collection of Pittsburgh photographs, poet Ross Gay provides a forward and the photographs themselves represent a new perspective on Smith’s vision for his project. 



The Fort Pitt Block House

Preserved from demolition by the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Fort Pitt Block House is the last remaining structure from the fort itself. This is the history of the building and site. 



Industry and Infantry: the Civil War in Western Pennsylvania

The Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania’s magazine, Western Pennsylvania History, is a treasure trove of articles outlining little-known pieces of history from the region. Here are collected essays on the Civil War in Western Pennsylvania. 



Pittsburgh: a New Portrait

Author of Fallingwater Rising, historian Franklin Toker brings together architectural history and historical context to illustrate what makes it a truly resilient city.