Participants of the Rebellious Spirits Day Trip hear stories about the Whiskey Rebellion and experience tastings, such as this one during their tour of Liberty Pole Spirits in Washington, Pa. | |
There is something special happening here. | |
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Like the Memorial Day that just passed, much of the everyday work of Rivers of Steel is about remembrance—and celebrating connections. When we share in the stories of our region's heritage, we acknowledge the triumphs and the sacrifices that have created a sense of place. The coal, iron, and steel that traveled through and then out of this corner of Pennsylvania changed the world in the twentieth century, building its infrastructure, operating as the arsenal of democracy, and opening doors to new opportunities that are still expanding today. We are honored to do this work—and we are grateful that you can share in the connections it helps to create.
This June, we have a lot of stories to share. The array of narratives reflects the different eras in our history and a myriad of experiences for ways to explore them that are celebratory and revered.
Recalling a time when the nation was in its infancy, the Rebellious Spirits day trip raises a glass to the Whiskey Rebellion, immersing guests in a rich story paired with tasty and interactive experiences.
Fast-forward to the early 1900s and the beginning of the Great Migration, the workforce of the Carrie Blast Furnaces was transformed by the migration of Black Southerners, whose stories we highlight in The Black Experience at the Carrie Furnaces tour each Sunday in June.
Of course, our Industrial Tour of the Carrie Furnaces covers the years of operation (1884 – 1982) on the site, but the Arts & Grounds Tour and the Hands-On Graffiti Tour examine activities onsite in the postindustrial era.
Oh, and we have one more story—on our new workforce development program—that you don't need to leave the house to learn about.
When it comes to experiences, tomorrow's Photo Safari offers an opportunity for solo reflections, while the Hot Metal Happy Hour encourages social interaction.
Of course, if you're really looking for a party, there are plenty of celebrations in the Heritage Area, including the Beers of the Burgh Festival on June 8 hosted at the Carrie Furnaces. (Scroll below for a discount on tickets.) There's the Founders Day Ice Cream Social at West Overton and the grand opening of a new mining museum in Rostraver, both in Westmoreland County.
Whichever story or experience you choose to explore, we hope to see you this June!
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Malayna Arambula joined Rivers of Steel through a pilot workforce development program. | |
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FEATURED STORY
Partners for Creative Economy: Workforce Development
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Partners for Creative Economy is an economic development initiative of Rivers of Steel that combines five strategies for uniting, uplifting, and empowering communities throughout the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area. Long-standing efforts, such as the Mini Grant program and community partnerships, have been expanded and paired with newer enterprises, including the Creative Leadership Program and the forthcoming Center for Heritage Tourism. This article is the first in a series that explores each of these key elements—it focuses on a new workforce development program recently launched by Rivers of Steel. | |
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FEATURED TOUR
The Black Experience at the Carrie Furnaces
Sundays in June, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces
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Join Rivers of Steel this summer for a special tour of the Carrie Blast Furnaces that connects the landmark with the legacy of the Great Migration. This one-hour tour sifts through the history of the Carrie Furnaces through the lens of a pivotal resource—the Black migrants who traveled from the South and created a career path for themselves and future generations, amassing seniority and skills in some of the most difficult roles at the mill. Through the stories of changemakers like Cumberland “Cap” Posey and everyday workers like union officer John Hughey, this tour paints a picture of life inside—and outside—the mill in the twentieth century. | |
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PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION
Photo Safari
Sunday, June 2, 2024, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces
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The Carrie Blast Furnaces are undoubtedly a photographer’s muse. The form and texture of the structures cater to seasonal scenes, and the interplay of light offers endless perspectives of this industrial edifice. Take inspiration from the wide vistas or the delicate details at this National Historic Landmark. You won’t want to miss this opportunity to photograph Carrie with only a few other photographers around! | |
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METAL ARTS WORKSHOP
Hot Metal Happy Hour—Forged Bottle Openers
June 6, 2024, 5:30 – 9:00 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces
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Forge your own bottle opener at the Carrie Blast Furnaces! This three-and-a-half-hour, hands-on event is an excellent introduction to blacksmithing. Work with hot steel to create your own custom bottle opener! In the process, you'll learn basic blacksmithing techniques, including slitting, drifting, punching, bending, and more. At the end of the session, put your handiwork to the test when you crack open an ice-cold bottled beverage to toast your accomplishment! | |
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MOTORCOACH EXCURSION
Rebellious Spirits Day Trip
June 9, 2024, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Allegheny & Washington Counties
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Join Rivers of Steel for a daylong adventure that expertly blends the region’s whiskey and history, served up with an interactive cherry on top! It's a Whiskey Rebellion-themed day trip that explores heritage sites and whiskey distilleries in Allegheny and Washington Counties. Learn about the Friends of Liberty and Friends of Order before capping the day with a mixology class! | |
A new piece by Amanda Lynn, a Bedford, Pa. native, now a resident of Northern California. | |
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SPECIALTY TOUR
Hands-On Graffiti Tour
Saturday, June 15, 2024, 1:00 – 3:30 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces
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Take a tour of murals and pieces at the Carrie Blast Furnaces—and then try your hand at graffiti writing! Join Rivers of Steel mural artist Scott Brozovich on a tour of the collection of graffiti murals by international artists located at the Carrie Blast Furnaces. Learn about the individual works of art and the overall history and culture of graffiti. After your tour, you’ll have a chance to try it for yourself. | |
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SPECIALTY TOUR
Arts & Grounds Tour
Sunday, June 16, 2024, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., Carrie Blast Furnaces
| Discover how creatives, from guerrilla artists and graffiti writers to curators and designers, have been inspired by—and left their mark on—this revered landscape. Highlighting contemporary art installations, graffiti murals, the Iron Garden, and the famous Carrie Deer, the Arts & Grounds Tour invites you to experience this historic landmark from a postindustrial perspective. | |
THINGS TO DO IN THE NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA | |
Beers of the Burgh Festival
Saturday, June 8, 2024
Our friends with Beers of the Burgh have brought their annual festival back to the Carrie Blast Furnaces for an afternoon of live music, food, arts and crafts, and beer, of course! Tickets are still available. Use code BLAST at checkout to save $5.00 per ticket!
Ticket costs vary.
Learn more.
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Grand Opening of the Rostraver Township Historical Society's Mining Museum
Monday, June 10, 2024, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Join the Rostraver Township Historical Society for the grand opening of its new Mining Museum. See one of the largest collections of mining artifacts in Westmoreland County. Learn what it was like to be raised in a coal mining patch and the hardships that the miners faced in the early twentieth century.
Free; no registration required.
Learn more.
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Founders Day Ice Cream Social at West Overton Village
Friday, June 14, 2024, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
On June 16, 1928, hundreds of visitors gathered on the lawn of the 1838 Overholt home and commemorated the opening of a new historic site dedicated to the rich history of Westmoreland and Fayette Counties. Join West Overton Village, as they gather again to celebrate 96 years as a museum. Enjoy free ice cream, lawn games, and a selection of summer cocktails.
Free; drop-in program.
Learn more.
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Support Rivers of Steel's work in communities throughout the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area. Your tax-deductible contribution will help champion community collaborations and ensure that Rivers of Steel can continue to offer vital, engaging, community-based arts, education, and heritage programs for the residents of southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond. | | | | |
