History at airports

Statues at PIT Airport Now on View for All

Photo by Beth Hollerich

Among the amenities at Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) are three statues.

The lineup includes legendary traveler and early investigative journalist Nellie Bly, founding father George Washington, and Pittsburgh Steelers legend Franco Harris.

All three statues are here on loan from Pittsburgh’s Heinz History Center. And they are popular stops for selfies. But because the statues have been located lost post-security in the Airside Terminal, only ticketed passengers could pay the statues a visit.

Not anymore.

This week PIT moved all three historical to the pre-security Landside Terminal so that all travelers and all visitors can see the statues.

The relocation of the statues was prompted by the recent passing of Franco Harris. He died on December 20, just days before he and football fans were to mark the 50th anniversary of Harris’ now-legendary football play that became known as the “Immaculate Reception.”

After Harris died, “fans flocked to his lifelike figure in Pittsburgh International Airport’s Airside Terminal to pay their respects,” said PIT spokesman Bob Kerlick. “We received a lot of requests after Franco passed away for non-travelers to visit the statue which we could not accommodate. Now the statues are open to all.”

Want to see Nellie Bly, George Washington, and Franco Harris at Pittsburgh International Airport?

You’ll now find them behind the Information Desk near the primary TSA checkpoint in the Landside Terminal.

If you go, take a selfie and send it along to Stuck at the Airport and we’ll add it here.