Rivers of Steel is many things—it can be challenging to distill our scope of work. For many folks, it's easiest to understand Rivers of Steel through the lens of our attractions or our programs, like the upcoming Doodle Bowl Experience or Hardest Working River Tour.

But as an organization, we are also charged with representing the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, an eight-county area that celebrates the region’s industrial history, the landscape that fueled it, and the hardworking men and women who made it possible, linking its communities through their shared cultural and industrial heritage.

Much of the work to support the Heritage Area happens behind the scenes. Initatives like the Mini-Grant Program assist nonprofits and municpalities in developing new and innovative programs, partnerships, exhibits, tours, and other initiatives that are consistent with our mission. The deadline for this year's application for grant funding is September 30—so spread the word now, if you would.

If you're curious as to what those projects look like in practice, read this Community Spotlight story about how the Kelly Strayhorn Theater used a grant to strenghten their community.

Stories also help shape a sense of place to aid in understanding the Heritage Area—and this week's Heritage Highlights article introduces us to the Greensboro Pennsylvania Art Cooperative, an artist collective in Greene County whose ethos is empathy and service.

Sometimes the work of the Heritage Area literally brings neighbors together, like the Homestead Live Fridays series happening this fall. It's three nights of live music and performances happening in multiple venues throughout Homestead and Munhall!

So while the concept of a Heritage Area can be layered, the joy of it is that the practice of representing it is multifaceted too!