THE STATE HISTORICAL MARKER FOR TEENIE HARRIS IS UNVEILED.
Next; Turn home into a museum, education center
The former home of famed Pittsburgh Courier photographer Charles “Teenie” Harris is one step closer to becoming a museum.
The Courier has learned that the Pittsburgh Land Bank acquired the vacant Mulford Street home in a sheriff’s sale on Dec. 2, 2024, for $26,000 via a bid process. The total cost for the Land Bank, including recording fees, quiet title, cleanout and sealing of building envelope and holding costs, was $51,597, paid with ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds.
MAYOR ED GAINEY WITH TEENIE’S SON, LIONEL HARRIS.
Without the Pittsburgh Land Bank stepping in, the vacant home could have been sold to anybody or any entity, who could have demolished it, or fixed it up and sold the home or used it as a rental property. More than likely, the person or entity that would have acquired the home wouldn’t have honored the legacy of the man who lived in the two-story property for so many decades, “Teenie” Harris.
In September 2024, the Courier was there as a state historical marker was placed in front of the home. Andy Masich, president and CEO of the Heinz History Center, said at that event that “everyone at the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission believes that Teenie Harris is of national significance.”
But Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, at that September event, announced that the home was eligible for a sheriff’s sale beginning Oct. 7, 2024. The mayor proclaimed that “we’re gonna save this house. We’re gonna make this a monument to the history of Teenie Harris.”
The Pittsburgh Land Bank, which has been in operation since 2014, returns unproductive properties to beneficial reuse in an effort to revitalize neighborhoods within the City of Pittsburgh. It has its own Board of Directors and is affiliate entity with the Urban Redevelopment Authority of the City of Pittsburgh.
Preservation Pittsburgh’s Matthew Falcone told media outlets like the Tribune-Review and WESA (90.5 FM) that plans are in the works to preserve the home and create a museum-like atmosphere and education center inside the home at 7604 Mulford. Eventually, the ownership of the home would be transferred to the Teenie Harris Foundation.
Harris is a person who will always be remembered in Pittsburgh. So much of Pittsburgh’s Black history, from its social societies to its civil rights marches, were captured by Harris, known as “One Shot.” Many of Harris’ family members were on hand back on Sept. 27, 2024, when his historical marker was unveiled. It reads: “Charles “Teenie” Harris (1908-1998) — A photojournalist who chronicled Pittsburgh’s African American community from the 1930s to the 1980s, taking more than 80,000 photographs. Many were published in the Pittsburgh Courier, a leading Black newspaper, and documented life and culture in the city’s Hill District, including celebrity jazz musicians who performed there. His darkroom was located in the basement of his home at 7604 Mulford Street.”
About Post Author
