Chester H. Lehman's love of American history and education manifested itself in his enthusiasm for the world of scouting. He died on October 23, 1959, but his patriotism lives on in the stately Flag Plaza and headquarters for the Greater Pittsburgh Council of the Boy Scouts of America, located in the lower Hill District overlooking Pittsburgh's Golden Triangle.
It was his wife, Vivian W. Lehman, who established the fund that helped to build the headquarters and Flag Plaza in her husband's honor. A prominent Pittsburgh philanthropist, Vivian was honored during her life for the gifts she bestowed and the museum she created, receiving both the Betsy Ross Award and the Silver Beaver Award, the first time in scouting history that the Silver Beaver was awarded to a woman. Vivian passed away on May 6, 1977 at the age of 88.
Chester was an executive for the Blaw-Knox Company, a Pittsburgh-based manufacturer of road paving equipment and radio transmitters. He joined the firm almost immediately upon graduating from Harvard University. He was elected director in 1912 and remained until 1958, serving as executive vice president, vice chairman of the board and, finally, director. He was the only member to receive the honor of director emeritus and was the last member of the founding family of company.
Chester was active in philanthropic and civic work throughout his life. The Chester H. Lehman Memorial is a legacy to the patriotic principals he so fervently embraced, a prominent whitestone structure that is entrusted to the Greater Pittsburgh Council Boy Scouts of America.
Five flag poles tower 80-feet above the building 24-hours a day, tended by a scout or nonprofit youth group which stages historical flag ceremonies in the evenings, lowering one of the 50 historic American flags that proudly wave throughout the year.
The headquarters continues to bustle with activity. The Bicentennial Room, which commemorates the nation's 200th anniversary, is the only exhibit of its kind in the country today. The wood-paneled Flag Room displays original works of flag art as well as The Eagle Registry, which contains the names of each Eagle Scout in the Pittsburgh Council.
Chester served on the board of Children's Hospital, was a past president of the Harvard Club of Western Pennsylvania, director of Family Society and a long time supporter of the Pittsburgh Symphony. He also supported the Salvation Army, United Jewish Federation and National Conference of Christians and Jews.
The fund continues to support the Allegheny Trails Council and Boy Scouts of America through the Greater Pittsburgh Council, stimulating interest and appreciation of the flag of the United States of America.
Type of Fund
- Designated