In 2007 a group of Pittsburgh-based artists, activists, and amateur historians coalesced around their interest in the often- buried history of radicalism in the United States. Perturbed by the lack of visibility and appropriate perspective given to important moments of resistance reflected in the city’s existing historical markers, they formed the Howling Mob Society to research and design a series of new public signs. Their first effort focused on the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, with ten markers detailing significant events installed throughout the city, inspiring considerable local debate. To date, eight of the ten signs are still up, and an accompanying website invites readers to explore an interactive map and delve deeper into this lesser-known chapter of the city’s history.
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Howling Mob Society
Ten New Historical Markers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2007
Accessibility, Community, Information
800
10 months
6
Problem - incomplete “official†urban histories
Solution - public markers of fringe historical events