Some call it a national treasure. Others see it as a local gem.
Whatever it's called, it is a one-of-a-kind tourist attraction in West Homestead: the Bulgarian Macedonian National Educational and Cultural Center.
More than 23,000 visitors to the Pittsburgh region last year visited the facility, including 18 tours of 40 people apiece, conducted from September through May.
"Those visitors represented 48 states and 25 nations," said Patricia French, the center's president.
But its popularity has created a slight problem: lack of parking for visitors and the need to expand the museum for a new kitchen, gift shop and cafe, she said.
"We currently have two kitchens, but would like to have one new, modern kitchen," she said.
The Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County recently approved a grant of up to $150,000, under the county's Community Infrastructure & Tourism Fund, toward the center's $1.3 million expansion.
French is hoping the state approves a $250,000 Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant previously authorized for the center.
The money will help to buy two buildings and three contiguous lots, adjacent to the center on West Eighth Avenue, needed for the expansion. The buildings will be demolished.
"We hope to establish between 35 and 40 off-street parking spaces," French said. "Right now, visitors park on a dirt road."
Founded 80 years ago as the Bulgaro-Macedonian Beneficial Association, a group to service 850 families of Bulgarian and Macedonian heritage who resided in the region, the center's membership today is a mixture of various nationalities. And it is no longer a beneficial society.
"The center helps instill tradition and customs that forge a strong sense of community, regardless of one's ancestry," said French, whose parents were co-founders of the center.
The center houses a museum, library, archives, performing dance ensembles and a learning area.
The museum and library are in the building's bottom floor and feature paintings, sketches, musical instruments, journals and audio and video recordings, plus graphics and academic manuscripts.
While these attractions draw visitors to the center, there's another ingredient that brings people to the site -- or call for it to be sent to them: the soups.
About 12 years ago, the organization embarked on its Soup Saga, a venture to sell the many ethnic soups commonly made by its members and volunteers, French said. Soup sales now pay for about 60 percent of the facility's operating costs.
This includes 14 soups, such as chicken soup with farina dumplings (the most popular), Balkan bean and spiced wheat.
"It's the only place locally which doesn't serve pierogies, haluski or fried fish," she said. "We currently are awaiting a report from Ireland, where we sent our soup recipes, on how the soup sales went."
By Sam SpatterFOR THE PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Thursday, March 17, 2011
