PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

I vividly remember standing in a long line at 5 a.m. on May 14, 1994 to get into the new Warhol museum. Fireworks had lit up the sky at midnight, when the $12 million eclectic space on the North Shore opened to the public; curious throngs poured in over the next 24 hours. My other memory from that visit was the thrill of pushing around those floating Silver Clouds on the Fifth Floor.

The Warhol celebrates its 30th anniversary this month, as one of the major attractions that draws people to the Steel City from around the world. It’s just one of the important anniversary stories from an impressive array of announcements that have crossed my desk so far this year.

KDKA-TV kicked off the year celebrating its 75th anniversary in January. Both Pittsburgh Public Theater and City Theatre have announced the line-ups of their special 50th anniversary seasons this fall. Among other organizations — the Women’s Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh, Women’s Law Project, and Outreach Teen & Family Services in Mt. Lebanon — also are marking 50 years.

Family House, which provides an affordable and supportive place for patients and families who are visiting here for medical care, has hit year 40. Chatham University’s Pennsylvania Center For Women & Politics is celebrating 25.

The list goes on and on. We’re not able to write about all of these accomplishments, but it’s a testament that these organizations have endured and thrived through the pandemic and other challenges along the way.

Marking an anniversary gives an organization a reason to pause and reflect: How far have we come? Where are we going? Some use it to kick off important capital or fundraising campaigns. Others use it to launch a multiyear master plan.

The Warhol in 2022 announced a $60 million initiative to transform six blocks on the North Shore into the Pop District — an arts and cultural center for more public art, live concerts and training programs. That’s a 10-year initiative, so The Warhol is clearly thinking of its future and its impact on Pittsburgh.

When Pittsburgh Magazine celebrated its own 50th anniversary in 2019, the editors came up with a list of the 50 Greatest Pittsburghers of All Time, which was topped by Fred Rogers. Sean Collier, now PM managing editor, looked at our very first edition that went by a different name — Renaissance — from the summer of 1969. Popular then as it is now was dining; that first issue included a gallery of now-vanished restaurants — Poli’s in Squirrel Hill and Tin Angel on Mount Washington, for example. There were also listings of theater performances and ethnic folk festivals, and an exhaustive guide to FM radio stations.

In 2019, we could not have predicted the pandemic or the impact it has had on Downtown, local restaurants, retail shops, local media companies and work habits. Adjustments continue as we acknowledge our long histories and accomplishments but look toward a brighter future with many more anniversaries in store.

Virginia Linn can be reached at vlinn@pittsburghmagazine.com.