Hill District Walking Tour

Saturday, August 18
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Join Terri Baltimore from the August Wilson House and Hill House Association, August Wilson scholars Larry Glasco and Chris Rawson, and PHLF staff on an afternoon walk in the Hill District on Community Appreciation Day (see below). The tour will begin inside the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh––Hill District, in the August Wilson room. Chris Rawson, senior theater critic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and Larry Glasco, associate professor of History at the University of Pittsburgh and a PHLF Trustee, will talk about Pulitzer-prize-winning playwright August Wilson (1945-2005), who grew up in the Hill and set nine of this ten plays there. As we explore the Hill, from Centre Avenue, to Wylie, to Bedford, participants will find the imaginary door to Aunt Ester’s house, identify places associated with Wilson’s life and plays, and hear about some of the jazz musicians who performed in the Crawford Grill and New Granada, two major historic landmarks awaiting renewal. Up on Bedford Avenue, we’ll hear about the progress being made in restoring Wilson’s childhood home and we’ll visit a park dedicated to the playwright. It’s an ambitious walk, with much to see and discuss. We’ll find shade and stop inside various places, but be prepared to cover lots of territory on what we hope will be a sunny day in the Hill.

Meeting location: 2177 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (Carnegie Library— Hill District)

Ending location: 1835 Centre Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15219 (Hill House Association)

Advance paid reservations are required: marylu@phlf.org or 412-471-5808, ext. 527 

Paid reservation deadline: Tuesday, August 14, 2018

Fee: $20 for PHLF members; $45 for non-members (includes a one-year complimentary membership in PHLF)

Registration is limited to 30 people.

Please note: Please arrive 10 minutes before the tour time. This 4-hour stroll through the Hill involves fairly level terrain along Centre Avenue, but then a steep uphill climb to Bedford Avenue and eventually a downhill descent. Please dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes, and bring a bottle of water. We will go inside several places and stop for refreshments and restrooms. Before the tour begins, each participant will be asked to sign his/her name on a form indicating that he/she is “fully able to participate in this PHLF tour and assumes all risk of participation.” The first portion of this tour along Centre Avenue is handicap accessible, but the second half of the tour involves steep uphill and downhill terrain. Please contact Mary Lu Denny at least 48 hours in advance so we can discuss this tour route with you and hear about your specific needs: 412-471-5808, ext. 527; marylu@phlf.org

Parking: August 18 is Community Appreciation Day in the Hill. Centre Avenue will be blocked off between Devilliers and Kirkpatrick streets due to a street fair. Special parking instructions will be e-mailed to tour participants after they register.

Port Authority: Buses will be rerouted due to the Community Appreciation Day but will be serving the Hill. Call PAT for re-routing information, fares and schedules: 412-442-2000.