Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This is the hometown of Fred Rogers, a center of industrial activity in America. While he was born and raised in a suburb of the city (Latrobe, 40 miles or so out), its influences defined his childhood and youth to the point where he felt driven to return there, to work there, and build his life and career there.

Neighborhood

The concept of neighborhood, or a community of individuals interacting in ways that created a sense of safety, familiarity, and security, was fundamental to Fred's work as a childhood educator, and fundamental to his own personal identity. He worked to create a work environment with a neighborhood feel; qualities he associated with "neighborhoods" were integrated into his programs; and, above all, he strove to encourage the belief that the entire human race was a neighborhood, a community of individuals that could be made stronger and healthier and...