An Iconic Symbol
It's seems a bit fitting that the message we have to share today is about honoring the past while finding a way forward. Twenty years ago, a generation of Americans encountered tragedy and loss in a way that they hadn't experienced in their lifetimes. It was a pivotal moment for our culture—one that we remember, honor, and consider today.
Nearly twenty years before that, a generation of Pittsburghers also experienced loss, albeit from a different source, in a way that fundamentally changed their lives—the collapse of the steel industry. It was this struggle to accept change, honor the past, and define a future course that brought Rivers of Steel into existence.
For many, the Carrie Blast Furnaces became an iconic symbol of our region's steelmaking legacy. For some, it was a reminder of what was lost. For others—including our founders—it represented a connection with the past that would one day move the region forward. With the
recent announcement of a plan to redevelop the land surrounding this National Historic Landmark, that day is on the horizon.
We welcome you to
read a reflection from Augie Carlino, Rivers of Steel's president and CEO, who has helped shape the story of the Carrie Blast Furnaces.
The programs we are highlighting today resonate with these sentiments.
Intro to Iron Casting honors our region's past while creating something new, while the
Carrie Carpool Cinema embraces our region's legacy of innovative reuse. For their part, the artists of
Alloy Pittsburgh share
their own reflections, presenting artworks that offer ways to come to terms with the struggles of the past while celebrating the people in our region today.
