On Thursday, October 16, 2025, in front of a crowd gathered at the Carrie Blast Furnaces in Swissvale, Preservation Pennsylvania presented August R. “Augie” Carlino with the F. Otto Haas Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Historic Preservation—a fitting recognition for a lifetime spent in service to place, memory, and revitalization.
For more than 40 years, Augie Carlino has stood at the crossroads of history and progress. His vision transformed what might have been forgotten industrial ruins into living, breathing sites of heritage, community, and creative energy. As the founding president and CEO of Rivers of Steel, Carlino led the effort to save the Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark, expand the Steel Industry Heritage Task Force into a nationally recognized model of industrial heritage preservation, and help generate more than $90 million in annual economic impact for southwestern Pennsylvania.
Carlino’s influence goes far beyond regional boundaries. He played a pivotal role in shaping the network of National Heritage Areas across the country, helping to elevate heritage as a driver of economic renewal, civic identity, and cultural pride. His advocacy in preservation policy, governance, and funding—across political lines—has made him a respected figure among both preservationists and civic leaders.
The F. Otto Haas Award, first established in 1987 by Preservation Pennsylvania, honors individuals whose work in historic preservation spans decades and leaves a lasting legacy. In selecting Carlino, the organization recognized not only his past achievements, but his ongoing commitment to mentoring, advising, and advancing the field.
A Legacy of Place, Purpose, and People
Augie’s journey began in public service—on Capitol Hill and in advocacy—but it was in Pittsburgh that his greatest impact took shape. His work with the Steel Industry Heritage Task Force, launched in 1990, laid the foundation for Rivers of Steel’s mission: to protect, interpret, and revitalize industrial landscapes. Under his leadership, Rivers of Steel became a bridge between heritage and community, preserving structures like the Carrie Blast Furnaces while also creating space for art, workshops, education, and economic activity.
His many honors—including induction into the Pennsylvania Heritage Hall of Fame and the Senator H. John Heinz Award for Community Service—reflect a career that blends bold vision and quiet stewardship. Even in semi-retirement, Augie continues to contribute through Acorn Hill Strategies, consulting, mentoring, and supporting preservation and heritage organizations across the country.
What This Means for Rivers of Steel and for You
This award underscores the deep roots of Rivers of Steel’s mission and the importance of our ongoing work: maintaining the integrity of industrial sites, opening doors for artists and makers, offering workshops and tours, and connecting people with history in a visceral, experiential way.
Over the coming weeks through November 2, we continue to offer Industrial Tours at Carrie Blast Furnaces—the last chance this season to walk among the furnaces, hear the stories, feel their scale, and consider the people who built them. We also invite you to explore our fall workshops (some spots still open!) and upcoming events.
Please join us in congratulating Augie Carlino and celebrating what his leadership has made possible—not just for Rivers of Steel, but for the entire region’s heritage.
