Fox Chapel resident Anne Lewis joins ranks of Heinz History Center's History Makers

Fox Chapel resident Anne Lewis is among a group of distinguished Pittsburghers being recognized during the Senator John Heinz History Center’s 28th Annual History Makers Award Dinner, an annual black-tie benefit taking place Oct. 7 at the museum in Pittsburgh’s Strip District.

The event honors “exceptional individuals whose remarkable achievements, while rooted in Western Pennsylvania, extend far beyond the Golden Triangle,” according to the History Center.

Lewis is board chair of Oxford Development Co., “one of the region’s most prominent privately held enterprises, family owned since its founding in 1962,” a statement from the center read. “Anne has also been active in Pittsburgh’s civic leadership for more than two decades, spearheading major development efforts for the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Fox Chapel Country Day School, Shady Side Academy and, most recently, Point Park University.”

“For me, philanthropy is about giving back, not only to the community as it exists today, but to the generations of local children and young people who’ll shape its life long after we’re gone,” Lewis said.

“Naturally, I’m deeply grateful for the honor, which is really a way of honoring all the organizations I’ve been associated with over the years,” she said. “Every one of them, from the Children’s Museum and Fox Chapel Country Day School at the start of my philanthropic career to the Pittsburgh Promise today (and countless others along the way), has profoundly shaped our city — and our young people in particular.”

Friends and role models

Lewis has had a long association with the History Center — and the man for whom it is named.

“The History Center has been special to me for two reasons, and two people in particular,” she said. “The first is my late husband, Eddie Lewis, who was an early and enthusiastic supporter of the Center in the late 1990s. Being so passionate about Pittsburgh, Eddie loved the idea of a center for ‘living history,’ and he did all he could to help bring that vision to life.

“The second is Senator Heinz himself, who was a wonderful friend to our family — and to so many families in Pittsburgh. He was probably the least political politician I’ve ever met, I think because he was so devoted to doing what was best for his constituents and his community.

“John’s wife Teresa was a big part of his success, as you know, and today I’m proud to regard her both as a friend and a role model for my own philanthropic work,” she said. “The history of the Heinz family, the H.J. Heinz Co. and political career of Senator Heinz are all deeply intertwined with the history of Western Pennsylvania.

“Having spent my whole life in Western Pennsylvania, I take a lot of pride in our history — and the contribution the Heinz family has made to it.”

Distinguished company

Since its inception in 1992, the History Makers Award Dinner has honored more than 130 individuals and raised more than $7 million to support the center’s educational programs and exhibitions.

Past History Makers include Fred Rogers, Thomas Starzl, Teresa Heinz, Jerome Bettis, George Romero, August Wilson, Franco Harris, David McCullough, Mario Lemieux and Michael Keaton.

“It’s always an honor to find yourself in the company of such distinguished individuals — several of whom I’ve had the pleasure of knowing, and even working with, personally,” Lewis said. “Pittsburgh has always had an amazing knack for producing history-making talent in every area you can imagine — from business and industry to the arts, entertainment and sports, to medicine, science and technology.

“It’s flattering, if maybe a little intimidating, to be considered in that company,” she said.

Joining Lewis as 2021 History Makers are:

• Maxwell King (Leadership), past president of The Heinz Endowments and The Pittsburgh Foundation.

• The Mascaro Family (Business), owners of Mascaro Construction Co., including the late founder, John C. “Jack” Mascaro; President and CEO John C. Mascaro Jr.; and Jeffrey M. Mascaro and Michael R. Mascaro, both executive vice presidents and CCOs.

• Thaddeus Mosley (Art), sculptor.

• Arthur J. Rooney Jr. (Innovation), Pittsburgh Steelers vice president and member of the Steelers board of directors.