History

Community Support

The Junior League of Pittsburgh Designers’ Show House fundraiser has benefited the community in many ways throughout its 34-year history. The 2007 Show House, “Elegance on Beechwood,” earned a net profit of $122,000, making it the League’s most profitable. Those proceeds were used to build a KaBOOM! playground in Clairton. It was the final installment of a three-year initiative to build three playgrounds in underserved neighborhoods. Due to overwhelming community support, the League was not only able to fund the third playground, but also contribute to additional projects.

KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit organization, envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. The League and KaBOOM!, in conjunction with community partners, built three play spaces. As the funding sponsor of the playground builds, the League contributed more than $180,000 to the Greater Pittsburgh community in three years!

‘Glitz, Glamour and Grace’

The Show House isn’t all about renovation and construction. There’s plenty of opportunity to have a good time. The opening night gala, “Glitz, Glamour and Grace,” earned a spot on Jean Horne’s 2007 “Most Dazzling Dozen” party list in the Tribune-Review newspaper. Hosted by the Learning Channel’s “While You Were Out” celebrity carpenter Andrew Dan-Jumbo and WTAE-TV news anchor Michelle Wright, it proved to be an evening filled with elegance and nostalgia. Former Pittsburgh Pirate Bob Friend, who once owned the home, shared tales of years spent at 1265 Beechwood Blvd.

Show House History

The Junior League of Pittsburgh Designers’ Show Houses have raised more than $1,250,000 since 1974. Proceeds from these events have provided money for new League community projects and helped to further our mission of building better communities.

Past Show Houses include:

  • 1974: Beatty Hall (Woodland Road)
  • 1975: The Hillman Home (Fifth Avenue)
  • 1976: Hill ‘n Dale (Fox Chapel)
  • 1977: 841 N. Lincoln (Allegheny West)
  • 1978: Fox Hall (Fox Chapel)
  • 1979: Tyburn Woods (North Park)
  • 1984: 244 N. Bellefield Ave. (Oakland)
  • 1985: Trimont (Mount Washington)
  • 1986: William Warren Card Home (Point Breeze)
  • 1987: Sellers-Carnahan Home (Shadyside)
  • 1989: Villa of North Park (North Park)
  • 1995: Evans Home (Squirrel Hill)
  • 1997: 6568 Fifth Ave. (Point Breeze)
  • 1999: Charles Kraft House (Crafton)
  • 2000: Aiken and Pembroke (Shadyside)
  • 2003: Negley-Gwinner-Harter House (Shadyside)
  • 2005: 820 N. Highland Ave. (Highland Park)
  • 2007: 1265 Beechwood Blvd. (Squirrel Hill)
  • 2018: 1300 Wood St. (Wilkinsburg)