Wednesday, March 6, 2013
A local businessman is working to help restructure the historic landmark.
The historic Walter Robinson American Legion Post 450 is on a new path to prosperity. "We're not going anywhere," said Moon Township resident Keith Bullard, a businessman for 40 years who has taken the reins as the Sewickley post's new commander. The Chadwick Street post was on the brink of being sold last month in sheriff's sale until Bullard stepped in and began working to turn the legion's situation around. Despite some reports, the building was not up for sheriff's sale Monday. Bullard said utilities are paid up, garbage is once again being collected and an agreement has been made with the legion's mortgage company giving the post 90 days to pay the rent for March and April. Come May, he said the legion will have finished making …
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
The post was set to be auctioned off on Monday.
The auctioning of Sewickley's historic Walter Robinson Legion Post 450 has been postponed, according to the Allegheny County sheriff's office. The Chadwick Street post was to be sold by sheriff's sale on Monday, but the sale was rescheduled for March, according to the sheriff's office. It is unclear why the sale was postponed. Officials with the post could not be reached for comment. Post 450 offered membership and served as a gathering spot for black veterans during segregation. The building has been designated a historic landmark by the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation. "Like" us on Facebook | Follow us Twitter Check out more of today's top headlines
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Walter Robinson American Legion Post 450
20 Chadwick St, Sewickley, PA
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Wednesday, January 30, 2013
The historic landmark is scheduled for auction in February.
Exactly a year ago, the community was working together to preserve the historic Walter Robinson Legion Post 450 from sheriff's sale. Now the post that offered membership and served as a gathering spot for black veterans during segregation is back on the sheriff's sale list. According to the Pittsburgh Legal Journal, the sale is expected to take place on Feb. 4 and the Chadwick Street post owes $110,576 in mortgage debt. The American Legion averted sheriff's sale in 2011 when the organization, unable to pay $125,000 in debt, filed for bankruptcy. The building has been designated a historic landmark by the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation. "Like" us on Facebook | Follow us Twitter Check out more of today's top headlines.
40.54118
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Walter Robinson American Legion Post 450
20 Chadwick St, Sewickley, PA
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Saturday, March 31, 2012
Red Velvet Jazz Band takes the stage at 6 p.m. Saturday. Doors open at 5 p.m.
Spring into the new season with live music at the first Spring Jazz Festival at the Sewickley American Legion. Doors open at 5 p.m. today before the vibrant Red Velvet Jazz Band takes the stage at 6 p.m. to perform a variety of classic and R&B tunes. Geronimo Pratt, event promoter, said he hopes the community comes out to see the band and support the Walter Robinson American Legion Post 450. “It’s a historical landmark, so there’s the importance of keeping it open,” Pratt said. The Chadwick Street post fell on hard times and filed for bankruptcy in early December. The post has been working to come back in a down economy after years of decreased membership and mismanagement. A fundraising dinner took place to help raise the $125,000 needed …
40.54118
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Walter Robinson American Legion Post 450
20 Chadwick St, Sewickley, PA
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Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Louis "Boots" Lockhart, who turned 85 on Monday, is aiming for 100 and another celebration with his friends.
Louis “Boots” Lockhart did a lot of smiling on Monday while celebrating his 85th birthday alongside friends at the Walter Robinson American Legion Post 450. About a dozen people gathered at the Sewickley post to mark the special day, delivering hugs along with cards and gifts to the thankful World War II veteran. “And I thought nobody liked me,” he joked. Lockhart joined the historic legion in 1946 and is its longest active member. He was honored last month during a fundraiser to help save the traditionally black legion from bankruptcy. Lockhart, of Sewickley, joined the legion during segregation when blacks weren't permitted to join the whites-only post in town. The youngest of three boys, the Ambridge native was the only one of the …
40.54118
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Walter Robinson American Legion Post 450
20 Chadwick St, Sewickley, PA
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Sunday, January 29, 2012
Honorees at the fundraiser Saturday included Stan Rideout, Bettie Cole and Louis “Boots” Lockhart.
Louis “Boots” Lockhart was feeling positive about the turnout Saturday night even before the large hall at the American Legion on Chadwick Street began filling up. “I think it’s going to be all right, better than I thought,” Lockhart said, as guests streamed through the door. As the oldest member, Lockhart has seen better days at the historic Walter Robinson American Legion Post 450. During segregation, the post served as the gathering place for many black veterans and played host to such musical legends as Dizzy Gillepsie, Ella Fitzgerald, Cab Calloway and Fats Domino. “Ray Charles was here twice; I remember him,” Lockhart recalled. While many years have gone by since then, the early spirit of the Legion seemed to come alive Saturday. …
40.54118
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20 Chadwick St, Sewickley, PA
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Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Members of Post 450 hope to raise enough money with a fundraiser Saturday. The event features home-cooked meals and music from the Red Velvet Jazz Band.
In the 1920s and '30s, when Harlem landlords began charging higher rents, tenants would often have parties to help raise enough money. Rent parties, popular during the Great Depression, typically involved live jazz or blues music, alcoholic drinks and plenty of home-cooked food — all in exchange for a small contribution. Organizers at the Walter Robinson American Legion Post 450 in Sewickley, a longtime gathering place for many black veterans, are planning their own kind of rent party on Saturday at the historic landmark. Faced with hard times in a down economy, Saturday's fundraiser will include a home-cooked meal, a live jazz band, and hope, said James Fisher, post commander, that enough money can be raised to save the post. “I’m not …
40.54118
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20 Chadwick St, Sewickley, PA
/articles/historic-sewickley-legion-to-host-fundraiser-to-save-the-post
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Harley D. Stewart
12:16 pm on Wednesday, March 6, 2013
What a shame for Sewickley veterans, both black and white. Post 4 is no more and Post 450 seems to always be in trouble. Thank you Mr. Bullard for your efforts. more ›