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Most of the time when we mention “Rivers of Steel,” we are talking about the organization—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, whose full name is Rivers of Steel Heritage Corporation. Founded on the principles of heritage development, community partnership, and a reverence for the region’s natural and shared resources, Rivers of Steel’s efforts strengthen the economic and cultural fabric of the region by fostering dynamic initiatives and transformative experiences.
Much of this work focuses on heritage tourism, which we support through the historic preservation and interpretation of our attractions, including an array of tours and workshops offered at the Carrie Blast Furnaces, such as the Sculptural Aluminum Casting, The Doodle Bowl Experience, Arts & Grounds Tour, and the Sunset Photo Safari events that are happening in the coming weeks.
Sometimes we get to take our programs on the road, like the upcoming Rebellious Spirits Day Trip, which explores, by motorcoach, how pivotal our region’s Whiskey Rebellion was to our nation’s journey during George Washington’s time as president. Because we like to make things fun, too, whiskey tastings are involved!
These programs are the “transformative experiences” that we speak of. Each one is developed so that it encourages participants to understand our region’s industrial and cultural heritage in a new way. The “dynamic initiatives”—well, that usually refers to our work in the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area.
This is where the story gets a bit more complicated . . . National Heritage Areas are a places with a nationally significant story. For Rivers of Steel, it is specifically the industrial and cultural heritage of the eight counties of southwestern Pennsylvania. However, the Rivers of Steel Heritage Area is also a program, a collection of initiatives that are designed to foster the economic and cultural vitality of this region.
One of the keys to these efforts is our relationships with partners throughout the counties. In an effort to find more ways to spotlight their work, we are introducing a new series that takes a deeper look into how our featured partners work in a myriad of ways that align with our own mission. For the first article, we invite to you to read Getting to Know: Shiftworks.
Of course, per the usual, we'd love if you would take a look at our Things to Do in the Heritage Area, including the May Market at Phipps and Grow Pittsburgh’s upcoming events.
You may still be wondering “But why are you called ‘Rivers of Steel’?” While the name sounds a bit poetic, the answer is quite literal. Our rivers were vital connectors that linked the growth and development of this region through Big Steel and its associated industries!
A few years back, we explained those intersections in an article called Exploring the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area. Beyond understanding the region’s connections, there are literally dozens of suggestions for things to do. It is so worth the read!
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