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The Mighty Monongahela

Tour Date:

Saturday, October 19, 2024

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 Architect Paul Tellers for this immersive look at the mighty Monongahela River.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Paul Tellers is an architect and planner. Paul was the University Architect at Carnegie Mellon University, the Director of Planning at WTW Architects, Facilities Planning Director for a CUNY college in New York, and a Project Manager for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. Paul’s community service included the Community Design Center of Pittsburgh, Oakland Task Force, Pittsburgh Historic Review Commission, Mt. Washington Community Development Corp., Mt. Lebanon Planning Board, Chatham Village Charitable Trust, and the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh Board. In addition to Doors Open Pittsburgh, Paul currently serves as a guide for historical Pittsburgh tours for Pittsburgh History & Landmarks Foundation, Rivers of Steel, and Bike the Burgh. Paul is a docent at the Carnegie Museum of Art and a member of the Bach Choir.

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.

"This Project was financed in part by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Arts and Culture Recovery Program."

Boat Tour

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September 28

Bridges, Buildings and Architecture of the Three Rivers