Khruschev Visits Pittsburgh,
23-34 September 1959
Mesta Machine-Building Plant

Laughing	In a Buick
Mesta	Attentive

I must tell you about the warm welcome given us by the people of one of America's biggest industrial centers, the city of iron and steel workers and machine builders, the people of Pittsburgh. They displayed great friendliness and respect for us. I even felt mildly apologetic when I drove from the airport to the city. We arrived in Pittsburgh at midnight. The night was dark, but as we drove to the city, there were cars parked along the entire route, there were people standing, and I saw their smiles and heard their greetings.

In Pittsburgh we visited the machine-building plant of the Mesta Company. We felt that the management did everything to show us the plant, to let us see the working conditions there. We made the rounds of the plant and conversed with workers. I wish to stress one thing: When we entered, there were greetings but they were restrained. However, the more we talked to the workers, the warmer the meeting became, and the workers loudly expressed their sentiments of respect for us, representatives of the Soviet state, of the Soviet people.
--Nikita Khruschev, "Historic Visit of Peace and Friendship," USSR (November 1959).

For Further Reading:

"Another Soviet Visit:

Pittsburgh Received Khruschev and His Wife on Sept. 25, 1959."

Vince Leonard.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 10 December 1987.

"'Calm' Nikita Urges Peace:

Gets Warm Welcome, Cuts Capers:

We'll Beat U. S. in Race, He Boasts."

The Pittsburgh Press, 24 September 1959, 1+.

"City Lauded for Hosting Khruschev."

The Pittsburgh Press, 9 October 1959.

"City on 'Best Behavior' for Nikita:

Rosenberg Hands Out 'Bouquets':

'Confused State Dept. Needled."

William Allan.

The Pittsburgh Press, 25 September 1959.

"[Governor] Lawrence Gives Nikita 'Facts':

Straight Talk on U. S. Impresses Dictator."

Kenneth Eskey.

The Pittsburgh Press, 25 September 1959, 12.

"Here's Khruschev City Timetable:

Premier Arrives Tomorrow Night, Leaves for Washington Thursday."

The Pittsburgh Press, 22 September 1959, 1+.

"How USSR's Pravda Rose-Colored News of Khruschev in Pittsburgh:

Speeches of Governor, Pitt Head Ignored:

Nikita Was Santa Claus Cheered by Doting City."

Michael Holmberg.

The Pittsburgh Press, 4 October 1959, 1 (Section 2).

"Khruschev Captured Pittsburgh in a Whirlwind Tour 25 Years Ago."

The Pittsburgh Press, 16 September 1984, B1.

"Khruschev Foes Rounded Up."

Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, 21 September 1959.

"Khruschev Has Warm Praise for Pittsburgh:

Issue of Magazine Published for U. S. Readers Contain 11 Photos Taken Here."

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 19 November 1959, 12.

"Mesta's Missteps Sever Ties to Proud Past."

Thomas F. O'Boyle.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 10 January 1984, 1, 21.

Second of two parts.

"Mrs. K Charmed the Crowds with Smiles and Little Talk."

Zora Unkovich.

Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, 25 September 1959, 11 (Family World).

"Nikita Gets Mixed Reception, Cuts Capers on Tour of City."

The Pittsburgh Press, 24 September 1959, 1+.

"Now It Can Be Told How Police Here

Had to 'Sweat Out' Khruschev Visit:

8 Rubles to 5, Russkys Cry in Borscht on Ike Tour

24 Hours Was Like 3 Months."

David Kelly.

The Pittsburgh Press, 31 January 1960, 1 (Section 2).

"Pitt Lists 500 Guests for Khruschev Lunch:

37 at Speaker's Table Include Lawrence, Gallagher, Litchfield."

The Pittsburgh Press, n.d.

"Premier Arrives in City at 11 P.M.:

Here's Tour, TV Schedule for Khruschev."

The Pittsburgh Press, 23 September 1959.

"Red Premier in Jolly Mood During Stay Amid Tall Corn:

Thousands Line Route to Hotel:

Soviet Chief Jovial on Arrival;

Gets Key from Mayor."

The Pittsburgh Press, 24 September 1959, 1, 6.

"Red Writers, Workers at Mesta Debate:

No-Holds-Barred Questioning on Varied Issues."

Relman Morin.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 25 September 1959.

"Rise, Fall:

How Mesta Machine Co. Made It Big and Lost It All."

Thomas F. O'Boyle..

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 9 January 1984, 1, 10.

First of two parts.

"To Heck with Borsch."

Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, 21 September 1959, 1, 4.

"What Red Writers Told Russian Public:

Woman Here Translates Book on Khruschev's Visit to City:

Autographed Gift to Mayor Full of Fact--And Party Line."

Ann Zurosky.

The Pittsburgh Press, 13 March 1960.

"Where Did That Soviet Check Go?

Hotel Here Awaits $1,000 Payment for Red Newsmen."

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 26 August 1960.