Well I Was Walking in Pittsburgh
My experience on a walking tour through Pittsburgh's unique architecture, its study of contrasts, and how it reignited my passion for history and storytelling
Pittsburgh is one of those American cities that flies under the radar. It’s a city in the on the western end of the Northeastern United States that is steeped in history, yet is experiencing an incredible rebirth and resurgence. Once referred to as the "Steel City," it played a crucial role during the industrial revolution, emerging as a center for steel production and manufacturing in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This industrial surge drew a diverse array of immigrants, each adding to the city's distinctive cultural fabric. Today, traces of this dynamic history are evident in its impressive architecture through its majestic structures that dot the landscape in the Golden Triangle. Beyond its industrial legacy, Pittsburgh has evolved into a vibrant hub for technology, healthcare, and education, and its architecture plays a pivotal role in honoring its past and simultaneously shaping its future. Seeing that its architecture is so intertwined with its past, present and future, I decided to put on my walking shoes and “Walk the Burgh” for a walking tour of Pittsburgh’s history through the historic architecture that stands tall today, and I would take away much more than just the history of Pittsburgh.
Walk This Way
After parking my rental car in a nearby garage, I made my way to the Walk The Burgh location on Penn Ave, where I reviewed and signed a waiver required for participating in the tour. Waivers are standard practice for most, if not all tour operators. After reviewing and signing my waiver, I enjoyed a pleasant conversation with the owner and our tour guide about my hometown and the reasons for my visit to Pittsburgh while we waited for the other guests to arrive. The tour commenced promptly at 11am, with just a small group of two, including myself, alongside the tour guide. Walking tours can vary in size, accommodating either a few participants or larger crowds, and I have experienced both formats. Personally, I favor smaller groups as they create a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere. Our tour guide, Brian, was a friendly former history teacher who happened to live and work close to my home in Southern New England prior to moving back to Pittsburgh. Having once aspired to be a history teacher myself, I felt somewhat of a bond with him, and it made perfect sense to me—what better way to share historical knowledge than through a walking tour focused on history?
Art Deco: A Trio of Buildings Rich in History
As we started our walk towards our first stop of three Art Deco buildings, we passed the August Wilson African American Cultural Center on Liberty Ave, which was constructed in 2011. The difference between this modern structure and the older buildings around it is quite noticeable, yet they complement each other beautifully and seem to fit together at the same time.
