Pittsburgh History &
Landmarks Foundation

Founded in 1964, the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation (PHLF) was created by citizens who believed that preserving historic places—rather than demolishing them—could renew communities, foster local pride, and drive sustainable economic growth. At the time, Pittsburgh—like many U.S. cities—was undergoing widespread “urban renewal,” replacing historic neighborhoods with generic buildings, parking lots, and highways. As Mayor David L. Lawrence famously said, “The town has no worship of landmarks. Instead, it takes pleasure in the swing of the headache ball and the crash of falling brick.”

In response, PHLF helped shift the city’s approach. It collaborated with the Department of Planning to draft Pittsburgh’s historic preservation ordinance, adopted in 1971, and led early studies of neighborhoods such as Manchester, laying the groundwork for a more balanced vision of urban development.

Today, recognized nationally as a leader in historic preservation, PHLF works to identify and save significant landmarks, revitalize neighborhoods and landscapes, and educate the public about Pittsburgh’s architectural heritage. While its primary focus remains the Pittsburgh area, the organization is chartered to serve communities within a 250-mile radius, extending its influence across the region.