Schenley Park Cafe History
The building that holds the Schenley Park Café and Visitor Center was originally designed and built between 1903 and 1904 by Pittsburgh architectural firm of Rutan and Russell (you may recognize their work at the University of Pittsburgh’s William Pitt Union, originally the Schenley Hotel). It was originally used as a picnic shelter, and two similar shelters were built around the same time but were torn down over the years. The Visitor Center is one of the few surviving buildings from the early days of park construction.
In its over 100 years in the park, the building has served as a concession stand for Phipps Conservatory, a tool shed in the 1930s, a workspace for the Pittsburgh Civic Garden Club, a nature museum housing snakes and other park creatures, and an office for workers conducting park repairs. Prior to the Parks Conservancy’s restoration project in 2001, the building had been closed to the public since the late 1980s.
The Latest News
$1 million to restore Panther Hollow, Westinghouse Pond plans, and more! Keep up on our blog.
What's Happening
Wednesday, September 15
6:30pm
What's Going On in Panther Hollow Lecture with Michele Adams
Botany Hall at Phipps Conservatory
Join the Parks Conservancy for an informative presentation about ongoing restoration efforts in the Panther Hollow Watershed. In addition to Parks Conservancy staff, engineer Michele Adams of Meliora Environmental Design will present examples of innovative engineering solutions to some of the stormwater impacts on the watershed. The lecture is free, but RSVP is required to kayers@pittsburghparks.org or 412-682-7275 ext. 227.
Wednesdays, June 23 & 30, July 28, August 25, and September 22 & 29
6:30 - 8:00pm
Walks in the Woods
Schenley Park Cafe and Visitor Center
Get to know the parks this summer with free weekly walks led by docents familiar with their history, ecology, and transformation. Walks last an hour to an hour and a half. For more information, click here.
Related Links
Citiparks
Department of Public Works
Picnic Shelter Rental
Cinema in the Park schedule
Phipps Conservatory
Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh
Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh
The First Tee of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Flying Disc Society