By John J. Russo, St. Jude Lodge
Michael Rosella, a member of the St. Jude Lodge of the ISDA, published a monograph of his photographic works entitled Pittsburgh Streets 1950s. The book was released in November with a book signing event at the Heinz History Center, which is part of the Smithsonian. The center’s Italian American Program sponsored the event as an evening in conversation with Michael. More than 200 people attended as a great show of support for Michael, who celebrated his 90th birthday in November. Melissa Marinaro, Director of the Italian American Program, coordinated the night as the emcee.
Mark Silverman, professor emeritus at the University of Pittsburgh, introduced Michael by recapping a history of the decade of the 1950s to set the background for Michael’s photos. Highlights of the era included the Korean War, the baby boom, nuclear testing, the Civil Rights Movement, the Red Scare, McCarthyism and Sputnik, which kicked off the space race — all while television was in its infancy.
Pittsburgh during the 1950s was prosperous as the steel mills boomed, providing 60% of global production. In 1952 the polio vaccine, developed by Dr. Jonas Salk, was unveiled at the University of Pittsburgh, and the sprawling Pittsburgh airport was opened to the public. Michael grew up in Brushton, near the Oakland section of the city where sports reigned supreme in the ‘50s at Forbes Field, Pitt Stadium and Duquesne Gardens. Oakland was also an educational hub in Pittsburgh, home to numerous universities. While studying at Pitt, Michael was influenced by street photography. His photographs in the book bring the ‘50s to life.
Linda Benedict-Jones, the former curator of photography at the Carnegie Museum of Art, facilitated a conversation with Michael. Linda describes Pittsburgh Streets 1950s as “The substantial selection of photographs that comprise this book provide insight not only into the way people acted and interacted, not just which carnival or parade they attended, what clothes they wore or cars they drove, but perhaps most importantly into what a young photographer found worthy of examination in a portion of his city, the city of Pittsburgh, halfway through the twentieth century.”
After the discussions, Michael autographed copies of his book. He was also presented with a plaque by Dr. Cindy Schuler, who recognized him for his many years of service as a dental photographer.
If you’re interested in purchasing Michael’s book, you can check it out here.
Michael graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1951 and began undergraduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh. In 1957, he received a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dentistry. From 1957 to 1959, Michael served as Lieutenant Senior Grade in the U.S. Navy Dental Corps at a submarine base in New London, Conn. He began his private practice of general dentistry in 1959 and concurrently from 1961 to 1966, he was an instructor of Fixed Prosthodontics and Human Anatomy at Pitt’s School of Dentistry. He achieved the status of Master in the Academy of General Dentistry and is a Fellow in the International College of Dentists.
After retiring from 36 years as a general dentist, he volunteered his photographic services in the Department of Visual Communication at Saint Francis Hospital in Pittsburgh.
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