Age Group:
Adults- Registration is required for this event.
- Registration will close on March 24, 2026 @ 7:00pm.
Program Description
Event Details
Tucked in a quiet suburban neighborhood outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania at the end of a dead-end street lies the most remarkable structure – a Chinese paifang. This decaying, but still stunning arch, frames the driveway to a compound deep in the woods.
Kenneth J. Weiss discovered this paifang almost fifty years ago when he was a child. When he found that it was still standing a few years ago, he went looking for the story behind it. Although he never could have imagined that the tale would cover almost 150 years, nearly 8,000 miles and was formed at the intersection of the lives of a Chinese bishop on the run from Communist authorities, a Pittsburgh steel heiress, and a renowned artist.
The Friends of the Library have invited local author Kenneth J. Weiss to talk about his book The Lost Kingdom of Pittsburgh: A True Story of Art and Exile in the Steel City that features a discovery nearly in Northern Tier Library's backyard.
This event will be about an hour long, followed by a Q&A session with refreshments. The author will have copies of his book for sale and available to sign. Advance registration is required.
Disclaimer(s)
By participating in or attending any library event, program, or class, visitors may be photographed by library staff. The library reserves the right to use these photographs for publicity purposes in printed materials and online. If you or a family member prefer not to be photographed, please inform the library staff in charge before the event begins.