Back To LobbyJuly 30 2001
To whom it may concern,
It has been called to my attention that the Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science located at One Allegheny Square in the City of Pittsburgh has been closed to the public. It is my understanding that the City has no plans to reopen this facility, now or in the future.
I was saddened by this news, for the Buhl Planetarium holds a number of great memories for me. As one of the original winners in the Science Fair Contest in 1939, I received a boost in the field of Computers. I still value my prize today.
Due to the unique nature of the Facility, I believe that the Buhl can continue as an institution of scientific discovery without directly competing with the City’s current science center. Please consider this letter as a vote for keeping the Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science open to the public and a valuable part of Pittsburgh’s history and scientific heritage. Thank you for your consideration
Respectfully,
Aldo J.T.
Monroeville, PA
July 23, 2001
To Whom it May concern:
I am very concerned that a very important part of Pittsburgh’s history is about to be destroyed. The Buhl Planetarium is the last pristine example of classic planetarium architecture in America. It houses the world’s largest telescope of its kind and contains the world’s oldest operating Star Projector.
The Buhl Planetarium is a tribute to all the technology and scientific advances that have made Pittsburgh famous throughout the world. Please fight to preserve this operational gem and educational facility.
It should be re-opened to the public as soon as possible. There are a new generation of Pittsburghers who can learn so much from visiting there. Please do this immediately!
Sincerely,
Dolores A. S.
Teacher, Woodland Hills High School
November 24 2001
To SAVE THE BUHL,
The Buhl Planetarium played a large role in my interest in science as a young boy. I visited it many times and especially liked the School Science Fairs. As a result of this exposure at the Buhl I became a Phi Beta Kappa at the University of Pittsburgh and graduated Magna cum Laude. After only three undergraduate years I went to medical school and graduated With Distinction. I was third in my medical school class and was elected to Alpha Omega Alpha.
We must preserve the Buhl Planetarium so that other young boys will be stimulated as I was to love science.
SAVE THE BUHL!!!!------Please
Sincerely,
Joseph P. Y. M.D.
Canton , Ohio
To whom it may concern,
The Buhl Planetarium holds a number of great memories for me. The foremost, at adolescence, one of the first introductions to the real world of science. Seeing the planets through the telescope on the roof was very exciting, and who can forget the Zeiss star projector rising from the floor at the start of every sky show. It bothers me to think that those experiences may be gone forever.
Please consider this letter as a vote for keeping The Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science open to the public and a valuable component of Pittsburgh's history and science heritage.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Lorean T. S.
Citizen, Pittsburgh, PA
August 24 2001
Dear Sir or Madam,
I've come to learn that Buhl Planetarium may not ever reopen to the public. What a tragedy if this is true! I grew up on the North Side and went to Buhl Planetarium often and marveled at the sky shows, especially recalling the "Christmas" show describing the heavens at the time of the original Christmas.
Each time the projector rose from its resting place, I became excited, anticipating the opportunity to see the stars as they were when famous scientists and artists like Copernicus, Leonardo de Vinci, Michaelangelo, Aristotle lived and as they saw them. I also remember the laser shows and the tremendous sound system accompanying the light show as we sat almost lying prone in those hard seats at the planetarium. The room in the Carnegie Science Center can not compare to the effect at the real Buhl Planetarium.
I can remember as a child the effect on entering the brass entrance into the marble expansive room with the pendulum swaying and the impressive displays exciting me to learn more about science. The rooms were like entering a church making me feel reverent to what I could learn there. There must be ways to use this magnificent edifice to its original purpose. I think you must find those ways and especially a way to open up the sky show to today's budding scientists.
Sincerely yours,
Richard O.
Pittsburgh, PA
July 20, 2001
To Whom It May concern,
Once again the residents and taxpayers of the Pittsburgh area are the losers. Victims who are forced to finance corporate welfare, and support the wealthy. They are subject to the farcical and unconscionable management of the local officials and lawmakers.
It is no surprise the local politicians , who can not account for millions of dollars, who illegally give away the public's real estate, threaten property loss by eminent domain, and foolishly waste millions of local tax dollars, are the same people responsible for the demise of the Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science.
Have any of these unscrupulous officers of the public ever consider the perpetuation and preservation of BUHL?
Have they ever been to BUHL PLANETARIUM (at Allegheny Square) and experienced what this legacy of science and history has to offer the public?
Have our public officials ever viewed the heavens through the Buhl's Siderostat Telescope or watched a sky show projected by the Zeiss Star Projector?
The uniqueness of the Buhl and its contents must be realized and appreciated. Most important, action must be taken to save the Buhl and its one-of-a-kind equipment that can never be replaced.
Please consider saving this inimitable facility and re-opening its doors to the public.
Sincerely,
Tom. A. S
Pittsburgh, PA
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