Babushkas and Hard Hats gets to the heart of the steel town story, getting to know the people, places, and events that made Pittsburgh the steel-making capital of the world. Guests visit all three of Rivers of Steel's heritage attractions in the lower Mon River Valley and enjoy an immigrant-inspired dining experience -- connecting travelers with the melting pot of cultures that powered the region's industrial success.
The tour begins at the Bost Building - the former headquarters of the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers who were locked out of Homestead Steel Works and were involved in the 1892 Battle of Homestead. The former Columbia Hotel, it was also the location for the reporters covering the 1892 Lockout & Strike. The Bost is now the visitor center and steel heritage museum for Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area.
Next, the tour takes travelers to the Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark. A guided walking tour of this integral remaining piece of the legendary Homestead Steel Works, will explore the drama of the iron-making process – from the movement of raw materials to the tapping of the furnaces producing fiery molten iron – and includes the story of the site’s technology, workers, and culture. Through installation art and an exploration of how nature reclaimed the location after the mill was shuttered, visitors will learn how artists made creative use of a storied space that became a painful reminder of times gone by to some, and a creative muse to others after the collapse of the steel industry.
Afterward arrive at the Pump House for a delicious ethnic-inspired catered lunch, including beverages and dessert. After lunch, your Rivers of Steel tour guide will interpret the history of the Pump House, the site where the 1892 Battle of Homestead conflict broke into a bloody battle between mill management and laborers and their supporters. The incident was one of the most significant events in United States labor history. The Pump House was also a key piece of equipment in U.S. Steel’s Homestead Works plant until 1987, removing millions of gallons of water a day from the Monongahela River to cool the mill operations. The Homestead Works made the steel for landmarks like the Empire State Building, the Chicago Sears Tower, and the Golden Gate Bridge.
The cost of this guided tour covers admission to the Bost Building, the Carrie Blast Furnaces, and your catered meal at the Pump House. Please note that transportation is not included and each participant will need to complete/submit a waiver in advance of the tour. The tour requires a 20 person minimum otherwise the date will be rescheduled.