Written by Donna S. Dreeland
Each brass plate on an auditorium seat in the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall in Carnegie tells a story of support for a town and the arts.
During the library’s major renovation in 2008, Maggie Forbes, executive director, was told that replacing the original seats in the hall built in 1901 probably couldn’t be done. The economy had turned, and the $275,000 needed to renovate the entire space by adding new flooring, carpeting and seats wasn’t on hand.
“The seats were notoriously uncomfortable,” said Forbes, explaining that patrons kept telling her they couldn’t sit through another performance.
She had an idea: Why not raise the money by creating a campaign to honor family or friends? Individuals would be able to “buy” a seat for $500 and pay tribute to someone they loved.
“People responded in amazing ways,” Forbes said.
At present, 75 of the 322 orchestra seats are without inscriptions. Renovation gave every patron a better and more comfortable view because the seats are staggered and have more leg room.
One of them was Donna McCarthy of Carnegie, 61, who purchased brass plates for her mother, her mother’s friend and McCarthy’s husband, all deceased. Now, Hilda Coleman, Ronald Warholak and James Layton, respectively, are a part of Carnegie’s history.
“I wanted something here,” said McCarthy, who buried her mother in the family plot in Virginia in 2012.
Under her mother’s name on the plate is inscribed “Good, Kind, Strong.”
“In general, that’s the way she lived her life,” McCarthy said. “That’s the way she treated people. As a single mother with four children, she struggled to make ends meet.”
McCarthy’s husband wasn’t much interested in theater, so his seat’s placement near the door makes her laugh.
Even Andrew Carnegie got his brass plate after a sixth-grader asked if he had one. The generosity of the Nevillewood Neighbors provided the remembrance of “Carnegie Elementary School 2014” on one seat and the namesake of the borough on another.
Along with the brass markers, Forbes is eager to have donors write little epitaphs of the persons being honored. Just 100 words can bring the person’s life into a sharper focus.
Forbes has a few stories to write for purchases she’s made — her parents, her two daughters and herself.
“All the little plaques glinting (says) we are part of this community,” she said. “Just the sight of the names shows people care.”
There are more seats for the taking, although few are available in the center section or on the aisle.
For more information on the plates or to submit an overdue story, call Forbes at 412-276-3456.
Dona S. Dreeland is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-388-5803 or ddreeland@tribweb.com.