Declared a National Historic Landmark in 2006, Carrie, as it’s affectionately known, entices visitors to marvel at the scale and legacy of its industrial might. A remnant of the legendary U.S. Steel Homestead Steel Works, the Carrie Blast Furnaces are a vestige of Pittsburgh’s 20th-century domination of the steel industry. During this two-hour guided tour, you’ll hear stories about the site’s technology (including why it is nationally significant) as well as get to know the culture of its workers. You’ll also learn a bit about the iron-making process, from the movement of the raw materials to the tapping of the furnaces that produced fiery molten iron.

A maximum of 20 participants will be permitted on each tour.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

As a former industrial site, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure an enjoyable visit.

• Masks: Please be advised of our current COVID-19 policies. 
• Social distancing:  Social distancing is no longer mandatory, but we do ask that you be mindful of the people around you, allowing for a comfortable amount of space when possible.
• What to wear: The majority of each tour is outside; please dress for the weather. Additionally, the ground is uneven—sensible shoes are a must. Sneakers or boots are recommended. Open-toed shoes and high heels are prohibited.
• Hard hats are required to be worn for the duration of your tour. If you have a hard hat, please feel free to bring it. For those who need one, a hard hat will be provided and collected after the tour. Hats are disinfected between uses.  
• Restrooms & concessions: The rawness of the site is certainly part of its charm. However, that rawness also limits the creature comforts many of us are accustomed to, like running water. Portable bathrooms and wash stations are available. Food amenities are generally not available (with some exceptions, such as food trucks at festivals).
• Photography: Photography is permitted. For safety reasons, videography and drones are prohibited.
• Accessibility: Handicapped parking is available, but the grounds covered during tours are not wheelchair accessible.
• Liability: By purchasing admission tickets, all visitors are required to sign a liability waiver and consent to be photographed (PDF).
• Admission: Site access is limited to guided tours, workshops, and events. Unless otherwise noted, all admissions are ticketed.
• Duration: Allow two hours for your tour.
• Children: While kids of all ages are welcome, the tour content is recommended for children ages 8+.
• Location: The entrance to the Carrie Furnaces is located at Carrie Furnace Boulevard, Rankin, PA 15104. 

In this unique workshop in aerosol painting at Carrie Furnaces, participants will get hands-on experience with style-writing, letter design and painting techniques while learning about the underground culture of graffiti, its history and how it continues to evolve as an art form. Each guest has the chance to view Rivers of Steel's unique collection of graffiti murals created by artists from around the world and design their own canvas to take home. Workshops are led by experienced urban artist Shane Pilster of 82 Concepts.

A maximum of 15 participants will be permitted on each tour.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

As a former industrial site, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure an enjoyable visit.

• Masks: Please be advised of our current COVID-19 policies. 
• Social distancing:  Social distancing is no longer mandatory, but we do ask that you be mindful of the people around you, allowing for a comfortable amount of space when possible.
• What to wear: The majority of each tour is outside; please dress for the weather. Additionally, the ground is uneven—sensible shoes are a must. Sneakers or boots are recommended. Open-toed shoes and high heels are prohibited.
• Hard hats are required to be worn for the duration of your tour. If you have a hard hat, please feel free to bring it. For those who need one, a hard hat will be provided and collected after the tour. Hats are disinfected between uses.  
• Restrooms & concessions: The rawness of the site is certainly part of its charm. However, that rawness also limits the creature comforts many of us are accustomed to, like running water. Portable bathrooms and wash stations are available. Food amenities are generally not available (with some exceptions, such as food trucks at festivals).
• Photography: Photography is permitted. For safety reasons, videography and drones are prohibited.
• Accessibility: Handicapped parking is available, but the grounds covered during tours are not wheelchair accessible.
• Liability: By purchasing admission tickets, all visitors are required to sign a liability waiver and consent to be photographed (PDF).
• Admission: Site access is limited to guided tours, workshops, and events. Unless otherwise noted, all admissions are ticketed.
• Duration: Allow two hours for your tour.
• Children: While kids of all ages are welcome, the tour content is recommended for children ages 8+.
• Location: The entrance to the Carrie Furnaces is located at Carrie Furnace Boulevard, Rankin, PA 15104. 

This workshop is a great way to explore the metal casting process and try something new! No prior experience or artistic background necessary! Take a class with a friend; create a special gift or unique piece of art. Participants will learn how to create a unique pattern from everyday materials and invest this one-sided design in resin-bonded sand. Cast aluminum objects can be taken home at the end of the workshop 

By purchasing tickets for a tour or event at Carrie Furnaces, you consent to the terms of our liability waiver which can be found on our website.

Please be advised of our COVID-19 policies. Masks are to be worn indoors, regardless of vaccination status.

By purchasing tickets for a tour or event at Carrie Furnaces, you consent to the terms of our liability waiver and consent to be photographed which can be found on our website. 

Iron casting is a community workshop experience! Intro to Iron participants work with experienced Rivers of Steel teaching artists to learn the basics of foundry work and an overview of the iron casting process step by step. No prior experience necessary. This 3-day workshop covers multi-part mold and pattern design, lost wax casting, resin-bonded sand molds, and iron smelting. The course results in your own unique design cast in solid iron!

All items for the workshop will be cast on Saturday October 8th during the annual Festival of Combustion 1-8p.m. Cooled castings can be picked up on the following Sunday between 10 a.m. – 3.p.m.

Intro to Iron workshops include up to 250 lbs. of sand and corresponding chemical. Sand and chemical needs beyond this allotted amount are available for $.31/lb. Waste removal and foundry consumables are included in this price.

By purchasing tickets for a tour or event at Carrie Furnaces, you consent to the terms of our liability waiver which can be found on our website. 

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

As a former industrial site, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure an enjoyable visit.

• Masks: Please be advised of our current COVID-19 policies. Masks are to be worn indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
• Maintain social distance: Social distancing is no longer mandatory, but we do ask that you be mindful of the people around you, allowing for a comfortable amount of space when possible.
• What to wear: Clothing you can get dirty.  If you would like to participate in the casting portion of the workshop then work boots are required footwear. We have all other necessary safety gear on site. The workshop space is not temperature controlled; please dress for the weather. Additionally, the ground is uneven – sensible shoes are a must. Open-toed shoes and high heels are prohibited. 
• Restrooms & concessions: The rawness of the site is certainly part of its charm. However, that rawness also limits the creature comforts many of us are accustomed to, like running water. Portable bathrooms, hand washing stations and hand sanitizer are available. Food amenities are not available (with some exceptions, such as food trucks at festivals).
• Photography: Photography is permitted. For safety reasons, videography and drones are prohibited.
• Accessibility: Handicapped parking is available, and there is an ADA ramp into the Power House where workshops are held. The surrounding grounds are not wheelchair accessible, but some assistance is available. Inquire for details.
• Liability: By purchasing admission tickets, all visitors consent to the terms of our liability waiver and consent to be photographed (PDF).
• Admission: Site access is limited to guided tours, workshops, and events. Unless otherwise noted, all admissions are ticketed.
  
• Location: The entrance to the Carrie Furnaces is located at Carrie Furnace Boulevard, Rankin, PA 15104. 

Thank you for following these guidelines. We wish you to have the best visit possible, and appreciate your patience as we continue to improve the visitor experience.

While production may have stopped on the Carrie Furnaces site in 1982, the era of Carrie as an artistic muse was just beginning. Discover how guerrilla artists, urban explorers, and later curators, installation artists, and even landscape designers have made creative use of a revered space. 

A maximum of 20 participants will be permitted on each tour.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

As a former industrial site, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure an enjoyable visit.

• Masks: Please be advised of our current COVID-19 policies. 
• Social distancing:  Social distancing is no longer mandatory, but we do ask that you be mindful of the people around you, allowing for a comfortable amount of space when possible.
• What to wear: The majority of each tour is outside; please dress for the weather. Additionally, the ground is uneven—sensible shoes are a must. Sneakers or boots are recommended. Open-toed shoes and high heels are prohibited.
• Hard hats are required to be worn for the duration of your tour. If you have a hard hat, please feel free to bring it. For those who need one, a hard hat will be provided and collected after the tour. Hats are disinfected between uses.  
• Restrooms & concessions: The rawness of the site is certainly part of its charm. However, that rawness also limits the creature comforts many of us are accustomed to, like running water. Portable bathrooms and wash stations are available. Food amenities are generally not available (with some exceptions, such as food trucks at festivals).
• Photography: Photography is permitted. For safety reasons, videography and drones are prohibited.
• Accessibility: Handicapped parking is available, but the grounds covered during tours are not wheelchair accessible.
• Liability: By purchasing admission tickets, all visitors are required to sign a liability waiver and consent to be photographed (PDF).
• Admission: Site access is limited to guided tours, workshops, and events. Unless otherwise noted, all admissions are ticketed.
• Duration: Allow two hours for your tour.
• Children: While kids of all ages are welcome, the tour content is recommended for children ages 8+.
• Location: The entrance to the Carrie Furnaces is located at Carrie Furnace Boulevard, Rankin, PA 15104. 

Invite your friends for a night of fun and creativity at the Carrie Blast Furnaces!

Doodle your own bowl and bring your own booze for this Doodle Bowl Experience!

Not your typical “sip and paint” party, this workshop has quickly become one of Rivers of Steel’s most in-demand programs.  Designed as a social experience, it’s location in the Power House of the Carrie Blast Furnaces allows for enough physical distancing to keep you comfortable while you create functional works of art!

Rivers of Steel’s metal arts team will help you create your own doodle bowl design that’s cast in solid aluminum! The bowl mold and tools are provided, you just carve your own design right into the pre-made mold,  Then take your bowl home at the end of the night!

No experience is needed—just bring your creativity, a friend, and your own beverage!

By purchasing tickets for a tour or event at Carrie Furnaces, you consent to the terms of our liability waiver which can be found on our website.

One of Rivers of Steel’s most in-demand programs, the Photo Safari at the Carrie Blast Furnaces inspires novice and experienced photographers alike!

The interplay of light and seasonality at the Carrie Furnaces offers endless perspectives of this industrial muse. These three-hour photo safaris are appropriate for both novice and experienced photographers who crave an “open” shooting experience with very little interruption, guidance, or interference. Take your time and line up the perfect image of the historic Carrie Furnaces!

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

As a former industrial site, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure an enjoyable visit.

• Masks: Please be advised of our current COVID-19 policies. 
• Social distancing:  Social distancing is no longer mandatory, but we do ask that you be mindful of the people around you, allowing for a comfortable amount of space when possible.
• What to wear: The majority of each tour is outside; please dress for the weather. Additionally, the ground is uneven—sensible shoes are a must. Sneakers or boots are recommended. Open-toed shoes and high heels are prohibited.
• Hard hats are required to be worn for the duration of your tour. If you have a hard hat, please feel free to bring it. For those who need one, a hard hat will be provided and collected after the tour. Hats are disinfected between uses.  
• Restrooms & concessions: The rawness of the site is certainly part of its charm. However, that rawness also limits the creature comforts many of us are accustomed to, like running water. Portable bathrooms and wash stations are available. Food amenities are generally not available (with some exceptions, such as food trucks at festivals).
• Photography: Photography is permitted. For safety reasons, videography and drones are prohibited.
• Accessibility: Handicapped parking is available, but the grounds covered during tours are not wheelchair accessible.
• Liability: By purchasing admission tickets, all visitors are required to sign a liability waiver and consent to be photographed (PDF).
• Admission: Site access is limited to guided tours, workshops, and events. Unless otherwise noted, all admissions are ticketed.
• Duration: Allow three hours.
• Children: While kids of all ages are welcome, the tour content is recommended for children ages 8+.
• Location: The entrance to the Carrie Furnaces is located at Carrie Furnace Boulevard, Rankin, PA 15104. 

A visit to W.A. Young & Sons is a step back in time! Nestled in the historic district of Rices Landing, Greene County, the Machine Shop is an astonishing industrial treasure. Built in 1900, the shop produced parts for steamboats, coal mines, railroads, and supported local small businesses. When it closed in 1965, the building was locked and all of its tools and equipment were left in place—perfectly preserving its line shaft driven, 25-machine network for future generations.

Visitors tour the blacksmith shop, pattern shop, hardware store, and foundry—and marvel as the machines are switched on during a live demonstration of this turn-of-the-last century technology!

Tickets must be purchased in advance. You will be required to show your electronic or paper tickets for admission. No tickets will be sold at the door.

A maximum of 10 participants will be permitted on each tour. 

Please be advised of our current COVID-19 policies. 

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

As a former industrial site, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure an enjoyable visit.

The Hardest Working River Tour—the Monongahela’s Industrial Legacy

Join Rivers of Steel for a journey up the Monongahela River on the Explorer riverboat. Once known as the “Hardest Working River in the World,” the Mon, as it’s known to locals, was responsible for much of Pittsburgh’s early commercial and industrial success, even centuries before it earned that moniker. 

Hop on board the Explorer riverboat for the Uniquely Pittsburgh Sightseeing Tour. This 90-minute excursion seeks to answer the question “What makes Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh?”

Traveling on the Ohio, Monongahela, and Allegheny Rivers, this tour shares the big stories of our region’s past—along with many lesser-known tales—as it explores a sense of place. Sit back, enjoy the skyline, and see the sights as you discover how Pittsburgh's unique history shaped the city we have today! 

Rivers of Steel maintains a family atmosphere on the Explorer. Please be advised of these tips and guidelines to ensure your best possible experience.

COVID-19 Policies: Please be advised of our current COVID-19 policies. 

Social distancing:  Social distancing is no longer mandatory, but we do ask that you be mindful of the people around you, allowing for a comfortable amount of space when possible.

What to wear: Many patrons enjoy experiencing the Explorer from its outside areas; please dress for the weather

Food & Beverages: No concessions are sold onboard the Explorer, but there are two water coolers on the boat for passengers to enjoy. You are welcome to bring onboard a snack, lunch, or non-alcoholic beverage to enjoy during your tour. Smoking / vaping is prohibited at all times.

Accessibility: The Explorer riverboat and its home dock are ADA accessible, which includes an ADA restroom onboard as well an elevator to navigate between the boat's decks. Handicapped parking is available nearby at the Carnegie Science Center.

Photography: Photography is encouraged!  However, for safety reasons videography and drones are prohibited.

Admission: Unless otherwise noted, all admissions are ticketed. By purchasing admission tickets, all visitors consent to be photographed.

Duration & Arrival:  Guests may board Explorer one-half hour before their tour is scheduled to depart. The Uniquely Pittsburgh Sightseeing Tour is scheduled to be 90 minutes. However, for planning purposes, we recommend blocking two hours in your schedule. Guests should plan to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled tour time. Should we encounter river traffic, the tour could be extended by as much as 15 minutes on the back end.

Location & Address: The Explorer riverboat docks at the Rivers of Steel Dock on Pittsburgh’s North Shore near the headwaters of the Ohio River. The official address is 715 Casino Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15212. For practical purposes (since we are on the river, not the road), the location is along the Three Rivers Heritage Trail, between the Carnegie Science Center and The Landing Hotel at the Rivers Casino. All public tours and programs originate from this location.

Directions & Parking: Parking is available at the Carnegie Science Center's paid parking lots. Please review their parking information here. For more details, including maps and step-by-step directions, visit our Google Business page or download this pdf.

Weather Policy: Tours are rain or shine. Rivers of Steel will cancel a tour if inclement weather poses a threat to our guests or our vessel. In the event of unsafe river conditions, severe weather conditions, or mechanical failure or as required by the U.S. Coast Guard, other regulatory or governmental agency, our captain reserves the right to stay at dock, or if the vessel is underway, to return to dock. In such instances, refunds or exchanges can be issued for tickets purchased in advance.

For more information, contact tours@riversofsteel.com.

Built in 1892 as a hotel for the rapidly growing worker’s ward of Homestead, the Bost Building was at the center of one of American labor history’s most dramatic episodes – the Homestead Lockout and Strike. Now a National Historic Landmark, 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.

FLOW FROM THE FURNACE
Temporary Exhibition - May 20 through October 29, 202
There is a mystique to the Carrie Blast Furnaces. The awe it inspires and the power it exudes goes beyond its historical significance - it is an inspiration. Flow from the Furnace, a new exhibition at the Bost Building, is a response to this phenomenon. Comprised of contemporary works, this group show represents artists who have experienced Carrie as a muse. At the core of this collection are artists who have worked onsite at the furnaces, from past Alloy Pittsburgh residents and graffiti writers to traveling metal arts sculptors and creatives employed by Rivers of Steel - an ever-expanding network influenced by the pull of the blast furnaces' orbit. Linked by association and collaboration, this show represents a community of artists that capture a unique post-industrial zeitgeist. While their works speak to a broad range of modern-day concepts and are not limited to literal manifestations of iron-inspired works, other works offer a more direct line of interpretation of this treasured National Historic Landmark. 

Artists include: Pati Beachley, Angela Biederman, David Scott Brozovich, Jerome Charles, Conor Clarke, Matt Crane, Nicole Czapinski, Katy DeMent, Keith Garcia, Glen Gardner, Max Gonzales, Paige Henry, Allison Hester, Nicholas "Cricket" Hodgson, Ricardo Iamurri Robinson, Kemist, Sandy Kessler-Kaminski, Jan Loney, Chris McGinnis, Eddie Opat, Ed Parrish, Jr., Ken Payne, Shane Pilster, Curtis Reaves, Rhiannon Scheidt, Vaughn Washburn, and more!

The Restored Rooms
Permanent Exhibition

The Bost Building was built in 1892 as a hotel and served as the temporary headquarters for the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers during the Homestead Lockout and Strike. Two rooms in the building have been restored to the way they looked in 1892, with original floorboards and period reproduction wallpaper. One room tells the story of the Homestead Strike; the other is currently hosting a small exhibition on the 1919 Steel Strike.

The Homestead Room
Permanent Exhibition

The Homestead Room is a permanent exhibit displaying artifacts and art work specifically related to the Homestead Works. The centerpiece of the exhibit is a 23.5′ long model of the Homestead Works that originally stood in the General Office Building of the mill.

$5 suggested donation

This workshop at the W.A. Young & Sons Foundry and Machine Shop is a great way to explore the metal casting process and try something new! No prior experience or artistic background necessary—just bring your creativity and a friend or two! Sand mold and tools are provided. Rivers of Steel's experienced metal-casting team will help you create your own design, then step back and watch as the metal team pours molten aluminum into your mold. You'll be able to take your casting home at the end of the workshop.  

Tickets must be purchased in advance. You will be required to show your electronic or paper tickets for admission. No tickets will be sold at the door.

A maximum of 10 participants will be permitted per session. Please be advised of our current COVID-19 policies. 

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

As a former industrial site, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure an enjoyable visit.

Join Rivers of Steel in celebrating industrial arts and American craft at the Carrie Blast Furnaces. Showcasing the creativity and innovation of our region's artists, makers and builders, the day features blacksmithing and glass blowing demonstrations, along with the firing of raku ceramics and stations for welding, metal fabrication and even custom tattoos!

Headlining the demonstrations, Rivers of Steel's skilled foundry team will fire up the furnaces and smelt iron--a scaled down version of the industrial process Carrie is remembers for. Festival-goers can get involved by carving a scratch mold to be cast during the iron pour or glazing the raku-fired vases. New activities this year include tethered hot air balloon rides (weather permitting) along with flame performers and an American Craft tent dedicated to the history of whiskey distillation in southwestern Pennsylvania! 

Tethered hot air balloon rides begin at 5:00 P.M. and continue to 8:00 P.M. Rides are $20/person. Each balloon ride can carry up to six (6) individuals. Tickets cannot be purchased in advance but are available for purchase at the event. A total of 200 rides can be accommodated throughout the day so those interested are encouraged to purchase their tickets early. 

With craft beer, food trucks, live music and an artisan marketplace, you won't want to miss Rivers of Steel's biggest event of the year!

The event runs 1:00 to 9:00 PM.  

General Parking is FREE.  VIP parking available for $10.00 and handicap parking is available but grounds covered during tours are not wheelchair accessible.

VIP parking for Festival of Combustion on October 8, 2022.