This historic building was conceived by the
Grand Army of the Republic during the 1890s as a way for Pittsburgh and
Allegheny County residents to honor the dwindling ranks of
American Civil War veterans; it was built on what had served as a
Union Army mustering ground during the war. The memorial now represents all branches of the service and honors career and citizen soldiers who have served the
United States throughout its history. Architect
Henry Hornbostel designed this memorial in 1907. Dedicated in 1910, the building was created in the
Beaux-Arts style and is heroic in scale. It is located in the
Oakland section of Pittsburgh at 4141
Fifth Avenue (although the walkway leading to its main entrance is signed as "
Matthew Ridgway Blvd." in honor of the
World War II and
Korean War hero who called Pittsburgh home). Surrounded on all sides by the campus of the
University of Pittsburgh and adjacent to the university's landmark
Cathedral of Learning, the building is set back from Fifth Avenue. It features expansive, well-kept lawns with large
cannons and other war implements. The side streets flanking the building are Bigelow Boulevard and University Place, with O'Hara Street directly behind the memorial. It houses rare and one-of-a-kind exhibits that span the eras from the American Civil War to present-day conflicts. Since 1963, it has been home to the "Hall of Valor", an exhibit that honors individual veterans from the region who went above and beyond the call of duty. The hall currently pays tribute to more than six hundred honorees, including winners of the
Medal of Honor, the
Kearny Cross, the
Distinguished Service Cross, the
Navy Cross, the
Air Force Cross, the
Silver Star, and the
Distinguished Flying Cross. The building houses an auditorium that seats 2,500, a banquet hall, meeting rooms, and a museum. The expansive lawn of the memorial sits on top of an underground parking garage operated under a long-term lease by the University of Pittsburgh. It has served as host for many city, civic, university, and business events, including an April 25, 1978, Gulf Oil Corporation shareholders meeting. ==Filming location==