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The Mighty Monongahela

Tour Dates:

Saturday, August 12, 2023 

1:00pm - 3:00pm


Cabbage and noodles?  Heinz and ketchup?  Pittsburgh and the Mon?  Some things just go together.  On this 90-minute boat cruise with DOORS OPEN Pittsburgh, go beyond the typical sightseeing tour as we sail past the Hot Metal Bridge and discover how the Monongahela River shaped the Steel City.

Fragments of an industrial past dot its riverbanks, but the Monongahela River began shaping the fortunes of Pittsburgh long before iron and steel. From topography to transportation, from industry to innovation, from tech to tourism, the Monongahela River is central to the story and history of Pittsburgh. Join engineer and local bridge expert Todd Wilson and architectural historian Justin Greenawalt for this immersive look at the mighty Monongahela River.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Justin P. Greenawalt is an architectural historian and historic preservationist with a deep appreciation for the history and development of Pittsburgh and greater southwestern Pennsylvania. Justin is employed within the Cultural Resources practice of Michael Baker International. He is Director Emeritus of Preservation Pittsburgh and a past president of the East Liberty Valley Historical Society. Justin is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh (B.A. Architectural Studies, 2008) and Columbia University (M.S. Historic Preservation, 2010).

Todd Wilson, MBA, PE, is an award-winning transportation engineer, named one of Pittsburgh Business Times’ 20 Engineers to Know in 2022. He has co-authored two books on Pittsburgh’s bridges, Images of America Pittsburgh’s Bridges and Engineering Pittsburgh a History of Roads, Rails, Canals, Bridges, and More. An engineering graduate of Carnegie Mellon, Todd has extensive knowledge on bridges, having photographed them in all 50 states and 25 countries, and he has presented at many conferences. Check out his Pittsburgh bridge photography on Instagram @pghbridges.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Gateway Clipper Fleet Docks, 350 West Station Square Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

  • Photography is allowed. 

  • A restroom is available. 

  • Itinerary subject to change due to changes in weather. Rain or Shine. No refunds.

  • Indoor/outdoor seating is available. First come, first served.

  • Food/Beverage is available for sale by the Gateway Clipper.

Boat Tour

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August 12

Roots of Pittsburgh

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August 13

Historic Hazelwood: A Tour of Pittsburgh's "Melting Pot"