PUBLISHER ON WHAT’S NEXT FOR THOSE EMPLOYEES? TONIGHT IS PART OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH, AN EVENT TO CELEBRATE PITTSBURGH’S ROLE IN HELPING TO END SLAVERY BY CREATING A LASTING TRIBUTE TO THE FAMILY OF A LOCAL MAN WHO WAS ONE OF THE LEADING ABOLITIONISTS IN THE NATION. HIGHLIGHTING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WIDE VARIETY OF CONTRIBUTIONS. WE ARE GOING TO SALUTE THE VACHON FAMILY, HIGHLIGHTING THE ENDURING LEGACY OF ABOLITIONISTS AND ACTIVISTS OF THE 1800S. MAYOR COREY O’CONNOR IN THE CITY OF PITTSBURGH, INVITING A DESCENDANT OF JOHN B VACHON TO UNVEIL A PUBLIC DISPLAY IN THE LOBBY OF THE CITY COUNTY BUILDING. WE KNOW THAT OUR HISTORY IS STEEPED IN FAMILIES AND TRADITION, AND THIS IS ONE THAT IS AN ANCHOR IN OUR CITY. JOHN’S FAMILY CARRIED ON HIS LEGACY, WHICH YOU CAN LEARN ABOUT THROUGHOUT THIS EXHIBIT, AND WE ARE HONORED THAT THIS SUMMER THERE IS GOING TO BE A HISTORICAL PLAQUE FROM THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA THAT WILL BE DISPLAYED RIGHT HERE IN DOWNTOWN. NATIONALLY RENOWNED ATTORNEY AND LEADER PAUL THORNELL IS GREAT GREAT GREAT GRANDSON. IT’S AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY. PERSONALLY, I THINK TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT FIGURES THAT WERE RELATED TO ME CAME WAY BEFORE ME, BUT THAT I’VE BEEN ABLE TO READ ABOUT IN HISTORY BOOKS AND ALSO WRITE ABOUT MYSELF AND REALLY THINK ABOUT THE WAYS THAT THEY’VE TOUCHED THE LIVES OF PEOPLE IN PITTSBURGH, BUT ALSO AROUND THE COUNTRY. THE EXHIBIT FEATURES PHOTOS, TIMELINES, AND SHORT HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS SO VISITORS CAN LEARN ABOUT VACHON, ONE OF THE KEY FIGURES IN THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD IN THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM. IT’S ALSO REFLECTIVE OF SO MANY BLACK AMERICANS AND WHITE AMERICANS, FOR THAT MATTER, WHO WERE INVOLVED IN ABOLITIONIST CRUSADE, WHO AREN’T RECOGNIZED. WE KNOW THE BIG NAMES FREDERICK DOUGLASS, HARRIET TUBMAN. PATIENTS WERE VERY MUCH A PART OF THAT COLLECTIVE EFFORT. ALSO TODAY, THE MAYOR ANNOUNCED A PROCLAMATION WHICH DEE
Local war hero, abolitionist honored with public display at City-County building
Updated: 12:29 PM EST Feb 7, 2026
Pittsburgh celebrated Black History Month by unveiling an exhibit dedicated to John B. Vashon, a leading abolitionist, at the City-County Building on Friday. Mayor Corey O’Connor and the city invited a descendant of Vashon to unveil the public display. Paul Thornell, a nationally renowned attorney and leader, is Vashon’s great-great-great-grandson. He expressed his personal connection to the exhibit, saying,”It’s an amazing opportunity personally to look at figures related to me way before me that I’ve been able to read about in history books and also write about myself and really think about the ways they touched lives in Pittsburgh but also around the country.”The exhibit features photos, timelines, and short historical highlights, allowing visitors to learn about Vashon, a key figure in the Underground Railroad and the fight for freedom.”It’s also reflective of many Black Americans and white Americans, for that matter, who were involved in the abolitionist crusade who aren’t recognized,” Thornell said. “We know the big names Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, but the Vashons were very much a part of that collective effort.”Additionally, Mayor O’Connor announced a proclamation designating February 6th as “Mission Family Day” in Pittsburgh.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
PITTSBURGH —
Pittsburgh celebrated Black History Month by unveiling an exhibit dedicated to John B. Vashon, a leading abolitionist, at the City-County Building on Friday.
Mayor Corey O’Connor and the city invited a descendant of Vashon to unveil the public display.
Paul Thornell, a nationally renowned attorney and leader, is Vashon’s great-great-great-grandson.
He expressed his personal connection to the exhibit, saying,”It’s an amazing opportunity personally to look at figures related to me way before me that I’ve been able to read about in history books and also write about myself and really think about the ways they touched lives in Pittsburgh but also around the country.”
The exhibit features photos, timelines, and short historical highlights, allowing visitors to learn about Vashon, a key figure in the Underground Railroad and the fight for freedom.
“It’s also reflective of many Black Americans and white Americans, for that matter, who were involved in the abolitionist crusade who aren’t recognized,” Thornell said. “We know the big names Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, but the Vashons were very much a part of that collective effort.”
Additionally, Mayor O’Connor announced a proclamation designating February 6th as “Mission Family Day” in Pittsburgh.
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.