Advocacy for All.

At the heart of every preservation group is a commitment to the community-at-large to protect and offer wise stewardship of our shared historic resources. This is a responsibility that we take very seriously. We now seek to be proactive rather than reactive, which is an important distinction.

YPA provides public testimony, letters of support, and works diligently behind the scenes to fight the good fight when unique and special contributors to the built environment are threatened with demolition. Through our history YPA has played a significant role in helping to save the New Granada Theatre, the National Negro Opera House, and the Paramount Film Exchange. Recently we advocated for the replacement of the Historic Allegheny Commons Pedestrian Bridge, for which we just learned that Norfolk Southern Railroad has pledged $1.5 million to replace it. 

Our Advocacy efforts have also provided the opportunity to engage young people through an event called “Heart Bombing,” in which threatened important historic structures in urban neighborhoods are decorated with paper hearts on Valentine’s Day to show a little love and attract attention to the sites. This event always generates a good amount of publicity for the uniqueness of it.

Young Preservationists care about securing preservation victories, not lamenting failures.

Current Preservation Initiatives.

National Negro Opera Company House, Homewood

Through YPA’s sustained advocacy, the National Negro Opera Company House was named to the 11 Most Endangered List by the National Trust in 2020.

Built in 1894, the house on Apple Street was first purchased by Pittsburgh numbers king Woogie Harris, in 1930. Woogie Harris was the brother of famed photographer Teenie Harris. The house served as the home of the first African American opera company in the United States. The NNOC was started by Homestead native Mary Cardwell Dawson in 1941. The NNOC grew to include a number of chapters around the country. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Marian Anderson were honorary board chairs. Among the people who came through the house include Ahmad Jamal and Lena Horne. The house also hosted a number of Steelers, including Roy Jefferson, John Nesby, and Marvin Woodson, as well as Roberto Clemente.

Penn McKee Hotel, McKeesport

Opened in 1926 and site of the very first debate between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, the Penn McKee Hotel is located within short distance of a flourishing marina, the Great Allegheny Passage bike trail that runs from Pittsburgh to Washington, D.C., and the Palisades Event Center. YPA has crafted a marketing plan for the City of McKeesport to connect the Penn McKee to these economic drivers. The plan calls for “bringing more cash registers” into the old hotel: to create sustaining businesses that can meet the needs of visitors to the marina, bike trail, event center; businesses like a restaurant or brew pub.

Hamnett Place, Wilkinsburg

With our strategic partners the Wilkinsburg CDC, Rising Tide Partners, and DJS Ventures, YPA is working with the Hamnett Place Neighborhood Group to restore 40 vacant historic houses for affordable housing. This ambitious project initially seeks to “mothball” 30 houses by fixing the roofs, windows, and mortar, and fully restore 10 houses. This project can begin to stabilize the housing market in this historic district of Wilkinsburg and is an exciting example of what can be accomplished when we all work together.

Become a
YPA Member

Please consider becoming a member of YPA. It shows us that you’re paying attention and enjoy the work we’re doing. It tells us that you’re there and we can count on you for your support. You can become part of a movement that will immediately impact your life and community around you. Please join our team and lend your voice!