– Authored by History Center chief historian Anne Madarasz, the new book will “launch” at a special event on May 30 at the History Center –
PITTSBURGH, May 20, 2019 – The newest publication from the Smithsonian-affiliated Senator John Heinz History Center tells the inspiring story of the oldest living African American Olympic medalist in “LAUNCHED: The Life of Olympian Herb Douglas” by author and History Center chief historian Anne Madarasz.
A Pittsburgh native and University of Pittsburgh alumnus, Douglas won a bronze medal in the long jump at the 1948 Olympic Games in London. He went on to become one of the first African American vice presidents of a major U.S. corporation.
The new book will officially “launch” at a special panel discussion and book signing event on Thursday, May 30 at 7 p.m., at the History Center, sponsored by Highmark.
At this program celebrating his life and legacy, Douglas will be joined onstage by friends and representatives from various chapters of his life, including Steelers’ Hall of Famer Franco Harris.
Following the discussion, Douglas will sign copies of the newly released book, which will be available for purchase.
This “LAUNCHED” book event is FREE and open to the public. Pre-registration is encouraged at www.heinzhistorycenter.org/events.
This program is presented in partnership with the History Center’s African American Program and the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.
The History Center’s African American Program is dedicated to the preservation, dissemination, and interpretation of the life, history, and culture of Africans and African Americans in Western Pennsylvania.
The Senator John Heinz History Center, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and the largest history museum in Pennsylvania, presents American history with a Western Pennsylvania connection. The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum is a museum within a museum, comprehensively presenting the region’s remarkable sports story through hundreds of artifacts and interactive experiences for visitors of all ages. The History Center and Sports Museum are located at 1212 Smallman Street in the city’s Strip District, and are open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The History Center’s museum system includes the Sports Museum; the Fort Pitt Museum in historic Point State Park; and Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village, a National Historic Landmark located in Avella, Pa. in Washington County. More information is available at www.heinzhistorycenter.org.
