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PITTSBURGH 250
2008 Reunion Will Help Celebrate 
the Steel City's 250th Birthday
Friday-Sunday, June 27-29, 2008 
Come to Pittsburgh for this Once in a Lifetime 
Family Gathering of Long-Lost Cousins -- 
"Imagine What You Can Do Here"

If you’ve never been to one of our reunions before, 2008 will be your chance to be part of a once-in-a-lifetime, unforgettable gathering of the scattered branches of our massive clan. We are hoping for a crowd of 200 to 300 cousins, gathered for a very special commemoration, so your attendance is vital.

On Sat., June 28, 2008, we'll meet in downtown Pittsburgh at the spectacular Senator John Heinz History Center -- an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution -- to help the City celebrate its 250th birthday. Activities also will be held on Fri., June 27 and Sun., June 29, creating a three-day weekend package you won’t want to miss. 

This event will be talked about for years -- just imagine what you can do, see and feel here. It will be a one-time opportunity, as we plan to return to our home base of the Indian Creek Valley Community Center in 2009.

The red-brick Heinz History Center museum is located at 1212 Smallman Street in a renovated ice warehouse, in Pittsburgh's historic Strip District. The "Strip" is known for its retail food markets, unique shops, and as an entertainment district with restaurants and lively nightclubs.

Pittsburgh is the symbol of the epicenter of our family’s growth since 1791, when Revolutionary War veteran Jacob Minerd Sr. and his wife Maria settled near Mill Run, Fayette County, about 60 miles southeast of the city. They produced 12 children, 67 known grandchildren, 310 great-grandchildren and more than 1,000 great-great grandchildren, virtually all born before the year 1900.

From this core of ancestors, an estimated 50,000 cousins have been born who are alive today. Many are spread all over the world, whose great-great grandparents left Western Pennsylvania in the early to mid 1800s, never to return. Many others remain in Western Pennsylvania and have been here for generations. This reunion is designed to reach out to everyone. Even if you have no other connection to Pittsburgh, this is your opportunity to enjoy firsthand America’s “Most Livable City” (Places Rated Almanac, 2007) and to mix and mingle with long lost cousins.

Special Guest Speakers - At 11 a.m., we will be welcomed by two VIP local celebrities, both of whom are deeply engaged with the Pittsburgh 250 initiative -- Andrew Masich and Bill Flanagan. You will have an opportunity to meet them and learn more about how our reunion fits into the broader agenda of promoting Pittsburgh to the nation and world.

Masich is president and CEO of the Heinz History Center, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum and the Meadowcroft Museum of Rural Life and the Meadowcroft Rockshelter archeological site, the oldest site of human habitation in North America. On a national level, he serves on the American Association of Museum's Accreditation Commission and has led the American Association for State and Local History's CEO Forum. He is the co-author of Cheyenne Dog Soldiers; Halfbreed: The Remarkable True Story of George Bent; and Dan Rooney: My 75 Years with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Flanagan is executive vice president of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and its affiliated regional development organizations: the Pennsylvania Economy League of Southwestern Pennsylvania LLC, the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance and the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce. In this role, he also hosts "Our Region’s Business" on WPXI-TV, WJAC-TV, WTOV-TV and the Pittsburgh Cable News Channel (PCNC), a program the Conference produces in partnership with Cox Television. Prior to joining the Allegheny Conference, Bill covered the economy of southwestern Pennsylvania for more than 13 years as money editor of KDKA-TV.

A Role in Attracting Tourism - Because of its unique role in promoting Western Pennsylvania by educating cousins that their ancient roots are based here, Minerd.com and our national reunion have been licensed to use the logo of "Pittsburgh 250" and VisitPittsburgh.com, the website of the Greater Pittsburgh Convention and Visitors Bureau. Click to see our special profile on VisitPittsburgh.com. We are delighted to assist in the celebration of the 250th birthday, a widespread initiative led by the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. 

Honoring the Memory of Capt. Erick Foster - Cousin Erick M. Foster, a captain and paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, died Aug. 28, 2007 of combat injuries sustained during an enemy attack in Muqdadiyah, Iraq. The great-grandson of Oakey and Gertrude (Shroyer) Harbaugh, and a Pittsburgh area resident, Erick was the troop commander of A Troop, First Squad, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. He was a native of Wexford, near Pittsburgh, and was a graduate of Duquesne University. We will hold a brief ceremony honoring the memory of Erick and all 28 known cousins who have made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives during wartime 

What You'll See and Where We'll Be - We will gather for the day in a large private room, reserved exclusively for our family, filled with tables and chairs for displaying your family memorabilia and enjoying a meal. We will pose for a group photo right after lunch. A special powerpoint presentation will be shown throughout the day, projected onto a large screen, with rare family photos of cousins who have made their mark on the world. We also will have a scanner set up to scan photographs and documents that you bring, if you're willing. 

Please bring family memorabilia (Bibles, photographs, letters, newspaper articles) to be displayed all around the room. This should be the greatest display of Minerd-Minard-Miner-Minor family mementoes we have ever organized, and is a "can't miss."

Other Things to Do - If your spouse or "significant other" would prefer to do other things, the History Center houses a fantastic sports museum -- seen here -- filled with memorabilia from the great Steelers, Pirates and Penguins teams, plus collegiate and amateur champions. Select artifacts include Franco Harris's "Immaculate Reception" cleats, Mario Lemieux's hockey skates, Satchel Paige's Negro Leagues baseball glove, the pitching rubber from the 1960 World Series, boxer Billy Conn's gloves and light heavyweight champion belt, Arnold Palmer's sweater and golf bag, Chip Ganassi's 2000 Indy 500-winning race car, hundreds of Pirates baseball cards, and much more. 

If your "honey" isn't sports-minded, the museum also houses other world-class displays of "Shattering Notions" glassware, the French & Indian War "Clash of Empires" and "Heinz 57," the story of the Pittsburgh-born food industry giant. Just a few blocks away are the world famous Andy Warhol Museum and Macy’s Department Store, plus lively tours of the city. 

Want to Bring Kids? - A well-equipped children’s play area is right next to our private gathering room at the History Center. We will have a babysitting team available to help watch your kids.

Friday and Sunday Plans - Plans for Friday afternoon/evening and Sunday morning are being finalized and will be announced soon. This might include attending the Pittsburgh Pirates/Tampa Devil Rays baseball game Friday at 7:05 p.m., as a group. You will have to purchase your ticket yourself, at the box office, but we can do that as a group so we can all sit together. ESPN has rated Pittsburgh's PNC Park as the best ballpark in the Major Leagues, calling it "Perfect. This is the perfect blend of location, history, design, comfort and baseball."

On Sunday, we are thinking of going on a late morning/early afternoon tour of the city, hosted by "Just Ducky River Tours," which travels on the city streets and then as a floating vehicle on the rivers for a most unusual perspective and experience. Check back to this webpage for details.

Cost - $20 for Adults, Prepaid -- Includes or an all-day pass to the museum (normally $9.50) plus a catered picnic lunch, beverages and snacks. Kids under 6 free, with a reduced price of $10 for each kid aged 7 to 12. If you live nearby, please bring a favorite family dessert for all to enjoy, along with recipe. We need your RSVP and check no later than June 13 so we can plan precisely. If you drop in, it is unlikely that a lunch meal will be available. Please send your check, payable to "Minerd Reunion," to:

Doris Hawker, Treasurer, 845 Fairchance Road, Morgantown, WV 26508

Options for Local Hotel Accommodations - We recommend two options for hotel accommodations. First is the brand-new Hampton Inn right across the street from the museum, at 1247 Smallman Street. Call 412-288-4350 to reserve your room. We are not permitted to reserve a block of rooms there, but it is desirable because it is so close. Be sure to hurry, as the hotel is filling up with other reservations for summer weddings and the like. 

The second suggestion is the Best Western Hotel along the Parkway West in Greentree, just a few miles from the city. Please check back on this page for updates.

World Class Airport - If you’re considering flying to Pittsburgh, our international airport has been rated among the best in the world by Conde Nast Traveler’s Magazine. It's spectacular!

Do You Need a Ride? Or Can You Help Drive? - For cousins who live in the Pittsburgh region but do not wish to drive into the city, our committee is planning a carpool. Volunteer drivers are needed the morning of June 28. Check back for details. 

Directions - Directions are on the Heinz History Center webpage, and a map is available at this Mapquest link. Paid parking lots are next to the History Center, including several right across the street.

Check Our Website for Updates - The reunion webpage address is: www.minerd.com/reunions.htm

Pittsburgh's Birthday - The City's actual 250th birthday will be on Nov. 25. On that date in 1758, Pittsburgh was named in honor of Sir William Pitt after British forces captured the French Fort Duquesne and built Fort Pitt on its ruins. Click for a more detailed timeline.

Past Reunions - Click here for summaries of our reunions in 2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001 - 2000 - 1990s - 1980s - 1910s-1930s.