Artistry. Industry. Innovation.

Rivers of Steel showcases the artistry and innovation of southwestern Pennsylvania’s industrial and cultural heritage by fostering dynamic initiatives and transformative experiences.

Experience Rivers of Steel
A group of tourists in hard hats walk through the ore yard with the Carrie Blast Furnaces behind them.
A multigeneration family tours the machine shop as a guide demonstrates how a machine works.
A woman with a long brown ponytail in a t-shirt takes a photo of a colorful mural.
A multicultural group shows off their aluminum doodle bowls.
A adult woman of Asian decent places her project in the forge.
One black woman photographs another black woman in front of a mural reading "Black Excellence"

Things to Do

Tours, workshops, special events—there is always something fresh to do with Rivers of Steel!

Molten iron is poured from a small ladle into a two-dimensional mold.

Metal Arts Workshops

Inspired by the legacy of iron-making at the Carrie Blast Furnaces, Rivers of Steel’s Metal Arts program offers educational workshops, public demonstrations, and team-building experiences highlighting foundry work.

a cantilevered home over a stream

Explore the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area

Digging into the history of southwestern Pennsylvania and sharing themed itineraries filled with museums, attractions, collections, and sites, Rivers of Steel crafted a series of articles that offer innumerable ways to explore the Heritage Area.

Archival Images of Newspapers in different languages

Read the latest!

Read the latest updates on Rivers of Steel and activities with our partners in the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area.

Attractions

Visit, learn, and experience all five of the Rivers of Steel attractions that showcase the artistry and innovation of our region’s rich heritage.

Boat Exploration Icon

The Explorer Riverboat

Docked on Pittsburgh’s North Shore, an excursion on Explorer offers unparalleled opportunities to experience the beauty and history of Pittsburgh from its majestic rivers.

Pump House Icon

The Pump House

Site of the 1892 Battle of Homestead and a key part of the U.S. Steel Homestead Steel Works

Anvil Icon

W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop

This time capsule of America’s industrial heritage embodies the “can-do” spirit of early 20th-century craftsmen.

Chart Icon

Carrie Blast Furnaces

A vestige of Pittsburgh’s 20th-century domination of the steel industry

Building Icon

The Bost Building

The Bost Building serves as the Visitors’ Center for the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area and offers exhibits on the region’s industrial and cultural heritage.

A mural of musicians painted on a wall.

New Brownsville Mural to Be Celebrated This Saturday Honors the Community’s Musical Legacy

| Press Room | No Comments
New Brownsville Mural to Be Celebrated This Saturday Honors the Community’s Musical Legacy Created in Partnership with Rivers of Steel and the Mon Valley Academy for the Arts Homestead, PA…
A yellow sunset softly illuminates the stack and stoves of the Carrie Furnaces with an Ore Bridge spanning the foreground of the image.

Catch Up with Rivers of Steel

| Newsletters | No Comments
Rivers of Steel Recent Newsletters You can stay up to date with all the fresh news and stories from Rivers of Steel when you sign up for our biweekly newsletter. …
A stone sign situated in the grass with flowers around it reads Woodville.

Community Spotlight—Woodville

| Blog | No Comments
This Woodville sign welcomes visitors to the former home of John and Presley Neville. Photo courtesy of Neville House Associates. Community Spotlight—Woodville The Community Spotlight series features the efforts of Rivers…