Urban Renewal | Freedom House Ambulance
Support Materials
Background of Freedom House Ambulance
Discussion Questions
- What year was the high point for the African American community in the city of Pittsburgh?
- Where did many high profile people spend their time when they visited the Hill District of Pittsburgh?
- What was the reason behind city officials demolishing this flourishing community?
- How many businesses were demolished in the Hill District? How many people were displaced?
About
The 1940’s, 50’s and 60’s brought the city of Pittsburgh great economic prosperity, especially in the Hill District community. Unfortunately, these years of success also brought environmental challenges and consequences, like air pollution. In response, local leaders decided that changing the layout of the city would make things better. As a result, life was better for some but for others this decision made a negative impact on their community as well as their homes.
Credits
Funding made possible by:
UPMC
Mobile Health Resources/EMSST
Page, Wolfberg & Wirth LLC
Center for Emergency Medicine/ STAT MedEvac
Photographs, Images, Film, & Video:
The Charles “Teenie” Harris Archive – Carnegie Museum of Art
Maurice Falk Medical Fund Archives
Nancy L. Caroline Papers. Schlesinger Library, Harvard Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University
John Moon
National EMS Museum
Walter Reed Army Institute of Research
Heinz History Center
Freedom House Ambulance service first day – Gift of Virginia “Ginny” Caligiuri
WPXI Channel 11
National Archives
Library of Congress
Internet Archive
Archives and Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Bureau of Emergency Medical Services
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Peter Safar Papers, 1950-2003, UA.90.F102, University Archives, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System
Mayor’s office, City of Pittsburgh
Photos Courtesy of:
Philip Hallen
Mitchell J. Brown
George McCary III
Brenda Tate
Amera Gilchrist
Kim El
Sala Udin
Standards
History
8.1 Historical Analysis and Skills Development. Apply chronological thinking and historical interpretation to understand events like the rise of Freedom House and its impact on EMS.
8.2 Pennsylvania History. Evaluate how social, political, and economic changes (e.g., urban renewal, racial equity) shaped communities in Pittsburgh.
8.3 U.S. History. Analyze civil rights movements and local initiatives that influenced national health care systems.
Civics & Government
5.1 Principles and Documents of Government. Examine how government decisions affected community health and civil rights.
5.2 Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship. Discuss civic engagement and barriers faced by marginalized groups in accessing emergency medical care.
Geography & Economics
7.3 Human Characteristics of Places and Regions. Explore demographic and cultural changes in Pittsburgh’s Hill District during urban renewal.
6.4 Economic Systems. Analyze how economic policies and redevelopment impacted minority communities.
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