Carrie Furnace Set to Start 2012 Tour Season in Rankin and Swissvale

(05/02/2012) - -Reprinted from The Valley Mirror, April 12, 2012-

Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area is looking to expand its volunteer base at the Carrie Blast Furnace complex for the 2012 tour guide season. The National Historic Landmark is managed by the steel heritage nonprofit organization and has been getting a lot of attention in recent months, from appearing on The Travel Channel's "Off Limits" and PBS "Antiques Roadshow" to being utilized as a backdrop for music videos and movies.

The only steel site of its kind open to tourists in the Pittsburgh region, the century-old furnace complex was the heart and soul of the U.S. Steel Homestead Works. A tour takes visitors through the whole steel-making process including the Ore Yard, the Car Dumper, the Torpedo Car, the Blowing Engine House, the Hot Stoves and finally the cast house surrounding Carrie Furnace No. 6. Included on the site is the famous "Dear Head" sculture, a tribute to the years of shut down the site has endured since the mid-80's.

Rivers of Steel is looking for volunteers with a connection to Pittsburgh's steel industry and/or heritage who can not only interpret our region's steel story and learn to interpret the Carrie Blast Furnace site but can also share vignettes of their own steel-related experiences.

For more information, contact Sherris Moreira at 412-464-4020, ext. 46 or e-mail smoreira@riversofsteel.com.