Rivers of Steel is Reopening More Attractions
In mid-June Rivers of Steel resumed tours and workshops at the Carrie Blast Furnaces. Not only have these programs been well attended, guests and staff alike have been comfortable with the level of adherence to the guidelines set forth in our COVID-19 Policy. We are now pleased to announce the reopening of the tours on the Explorer riverboat and at the W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop.
Both tour offerings have been modified to adjust for the preferences and limitations dictated by pandemic safety. The safety of our employees and visitors is of paramount importance. Rivers of Steel adheres to the guidelines and restrictions set by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Public tours for individuals on the Explorer riverboat are still suspended. Instead, Rivers of Steel is offering private sightseeing tours for up to 18 people, designed for extended families and quarantine pods. Our COVID-19 safety policy will still be in effect for the security and comfort of guests and staff. The tour is offered at a flat rate of $600.
Guided Sunday Tours at the W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop—located in Rices Landing, Greene County—are now offered as timed tours for up to six participants per tour. Formerly, these tours were an open-house format. Tours are $10 per person and must be scheduled in advance.
See below for more details on each location.
Each of Rivers of Steel’s five attractions are being given continuous consideration, examining a variety of factors on how to best manage our facilities and host our guests. Please keep in mind that what is stated below will likely change as the pandemic evolves or subsides. Rivers of Steel reserves the right to modify or cancel any program in the interest of public safety. Furthermore, individuals who do not abide by our policies will be required to leave.
Questions can be directed to info@riversofsteel.com.
Carrie Blast Furnaces
- Industrial tours of the Carrie Blast Furnaces resumed on Friday, June 19, followed by arts workshops on June 28.
- Tours are offered on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
- All tickets must be purchased in advance. No walk-ups will be permitted.
- Tours will be limited to 50% capacity.
- Tours will predominantly occur outdoors. Time inside the Cast House and other structures will be limited with social distancing measures in place.
- All guests will be required to wear a mask, no exceptions.
- Families and groups arriving together are welcome to interact with one another but are required to maintain six feet of distance between themselves and other tour guests and staff.
- See our full COVID-19 policies here.
Additional COVID-19 accommodations: Extra portable restrooms have been installed at the Carrie Blast Furnaces, along with two handwashing stations. Hand sanitizer is also provided, including at places along the tour after using handrails. Restrooms are sanitized between each tour.
The Explorer Riverboat
- Private PGH 101 riverboat sightseeing tours can be scheduled now.
- Tours can be scheduled any day of the week.
- Tours should be scheduled at least two weeks in advance.
- Tours will be limited to 18 people.
- Tours occur in both indoor and outdoor spaces, with social distancing measures in place.
- All guests will be required to wear a mask, no exceptions.
- See our full COVID-19 policies here.
At this time, the Explorer riverboat is only open for private group tours and will remain closed for public tours and programs. We are continuing to evaluate possibilities for private events. Interested parties should contact charters@riversofsteel.com.
Educators interested in discussing field trips options for the 2020-2021 school year should contact education@riversofsteel.com for additional details.
W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop
- Guided Machine Shop Tours will begin on Sunday, August 16.
- Tours are offered on Sundays on the hour, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- All tickets must be purchased in advance. No walk-ups will be permitted.
- Tours will be limited to six people.
- Tours will predominantly occur indoors, with social distancing measures in place.
- All guests will be required to wear a mask, no exceptions.
- Families and groups arriving together are welcome to interact with one another but are required to maintain six feet of distance between themselves and other tour guests and staff.
- See our full COVID-19 policies here.
The Historic Pump House and Water Tower
Parking at the Pump House for trailhead access resumed in June. To ensure the safety of all visitors, the restrooms in the Water Tower will remain closed to the general public indefinitely.
Rental events at the Pump House are resuming in accordance with Pennsylvania’s Green Phase guidelines and local restrictions. Interested in scheduling a private event? Contact info@riversofsteel.com.
Bost Building: Visitor Center for the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area & Archives
The Bost Building will remain closed to the public for the indefinite future. Archival research is by appointment only. Please contact archives@riversofsteel.com for details.
