August Wilson's boyhood home, Hill District

Pittsburgh Revolution / Steve Mellon

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These small, humble rooms at 1727 Bedford Avenue in the Hill District saw the formative childhood years of one of the world's most gifted playwrights, August Wilson. His 10 plays, each set in a different decade of the 20th century, is often called The Pittsburgh Cycle, since nine of the 10 take place on the Hill. When Wilson was born in 1945, his family lived in two rooms. Debris now fills one room (below) and the windows have been boarded up to keep away vandals. When Wilson was 7, the family expanded upstairs into two more rooms, where the famous writer's nephew, Paul Ellis Jr., holds a portrait of Wilson. The family moved to Hazelwood when Wilson was 13. Ellis, a Pittsburgh attorney, wants to turn the building into a retreat for artists.

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About Pittsburgh Revolution
Post-Gazette staff photographer Steve Mellon set out to capture Pittsburgh from all angles. Using a tripod and his digital camera, he took numerous photos and then stitched them together using software.

Comments & suggestions
We hope that you enjoy this project. Is there a place unique to the region that you'd like us to consider for Pittsburgh Revolution? Send a note to Steve Mellon. Comments are welcome too.