Manchester Bridge Sculpture
By Charles W. Shane - https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/PA0064/, Public Domain
Location:
N Shore Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Description:
The Manchester Bridge Sculpture is a significant piece of public art located on Pittsburgh's North Shore, near Acrisure Stadium. Originally part of the Manchester Bridge, which spanned the Allegheny River from 1915 to 1970, the sculpture was designed by artist Charles Keck and installed in 1917. It features two 12-foot-tall bronze figures: Christopher Gist, a frontiersman and explorer, and Guyasuta, a Seneca leader. These figures flank the Pittsburgh city seal, symbolizing the city's historical ties to both European settlers and Native American communities.
After the Manchester Bridge was demolished in 1970, the sculpture was preserved by the Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation. For several decades, it was displayed in the courtyard of the former U.S. Post Office building, now home to the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh. In 2016, with funding from the Pittsburgh Steelers, the sculpture was relocated to its current site on the North Shore, where it serves as a prominent reminder of the city's rich history.
Today, the Manchester Bridge Sculpture stands as a testament to Pittsburgh's heritage, offering visitors a glimpse into the past and a connection to the city's foundational narratives.
