Cultural Heritage Workshops offered by Rivers of Steel

(Homestead, Pa) – Explore the heritage of Southwestern Pennsylvania during the Rivers of Steel Cultural Heritage Workshops. Each two-hour workshop will provide a view into the cultural history of the region, as well as potentially your own personal heritage. Workshops will be held Saturdays, beginning Feb. 19 and will go through May 16. Each two-hour workshop includes light refreshments. Bring a friend or family member and make a morning of it! Limited seating so reserve your space now. All workshops, except the Digital Camera Safari workshop, will be held at The Bost Building, 623. E. 8th Ave., Homestead. The Digital Camera Safari workshop will be held at The Pump House, 880 E. Waterfront Drive, Munhall. For more information, call 412.464.4060, ext. 46 or smoreira@riversofsteel.com

Telling Your Story: Oral Histories Step-by-Step 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 19 at The Bost Building, Homestead; Cost $40.

Oral histories are stories told by living people about the past. Grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, all have valuable information to share about their family's history. Learn more about how to spark a memory, ask the right questions, and organize the information. Workshop led by Rivers of Steel Archival Staff. http://www.riversofsteel.com/shop/product/telling-your-story/

Genealogy: How do I Start? 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 26 at The Bost Building, Homestead; Cost $40.

A beginner's guide to genealogy with the basic information you need to get started discovering your ancestry. Students will be guided through the first steps of creating a family tree, learn about the latest genealogy software and sort through resources. Instructor: Nancy Dean. http://www.riversofsteel.com/shop/product/genealogy-how-do-i-start/

Beautiful Writing: History and Hands-on Calligraphy 10 a.m. to noon March 5 at The Bost Building, Homestead; Cost $40.

Learn about the history of calligraphy and the difference between Eastern Asian and Western Calligraphy, then learn the basics of doing it yourself. Some supplies included. Instructor: Adam Smith. http://www.riversofsteel.com/shop/product/beautiful-writing-history-and-hands-on-calligraphy/

Photo Detective: Deciphering Pictures to Uncover History 10 a.m. to noon March 12 at The Bost Building, Homestead; Cost $40.

Visual literacy is the key to uncovering many hidden details of historic photographs. Learn the techniques historians use when examining images to unravel mysteries and find clues to the past. We will look at images from the Library of Congress from the early 1900s and examine the story they tell of our past as well as use collaborative efforts to decipher your own family photographs. Instructor: Sylvia Ehler. http://www.riversofsteel.com/shop/product/photo-detective/

Heritage Scrapbooking: Preserving Family Photographs 10 a.m. to noon March 19 at The Bost Building, Homestead; Cost $40.

This workshop will help to inspire beautiful, fun, and creative ideas for scrapbooking your family history and preserving your old family photos. Our expert will give you the 411 on preservation techniques, how to make your photo history fresh, and help with putting it all together. Some supplies included. Bring your own scrapbooking materials as well. Instructor: Anne Neikirk. http://www.riversofsteel.com/shop/product/heritage-scrapbooking/

Pittsburgh Food Treasures or How we got the Pierogi 10 a.m. to noon March 26 at The Bost Building, Homestead; Cost $40.

Traditional Pittsburgh foods reflect the city's multicultural heritage, especially that of the European immigrants of the early 20th century. While these immigrant populations introduced dishes such as pierogi and haluski to the city, they are now enjoyed by Pittsburgh in general. Join us to learn more about the history of these delicious cultural delicacies. Samples included. Instructor: Sylvia McCoy. http://www.riversofsteel.com/shop/product/pittsburghs-food-treasures/

Repurposing your Handheld Heirlooms 10 a.m. to noon April 2 at The Bost Building, Homestead; Cost $40

In this class, you will learn how to creatively repurpose your small heirlooms, keeping them fresh and relevant for future generations. Bring your handheld heirlooms or old jewelry and learn how to revision them into a new masterpiece. Instructor: Laura Stuart-Smith. http://www.riversofsteel.com/shop/product/upcycling-your-handheld-heirlooms/

Here Comes the Bride: Pittsburgh Wedding Rituals 10 a.m. to noon April 9 at The Bost Building, Homestead; Cost $40

What is a Dollar Dance? Who started the cookie table? What is the difference between a Vybava and a Veno? Learn the answers to these and many more questions about the treasured traditions that came to this country from Europe in the late 19th century. We will examine artifacts and listen to stories that will bring these rituals to life. Instructor: Sylvia Ehler. http://www.riversofsteel.com/shop/product/here-comes-the-bride/

Beginning Digital Photography 10 a.m. to noon May 7 at The Bost Building, Homestead; Cost $40

Are those little icons on your digital camera driving you crazy? Are you having trouble making sense of your camera's manual? What is White Balance anyway? Join us for this beginning class designed to help you get to know your camera better. This class will cover white balance, shutter speed, manual settings, and more. Instructor: Sally Bozzuto. http://www.riversofsteel.com/shop/product/beginning-digital-photography/

Digital Photo Safari 10 a.m. to noon May 14 at The Pump House, Munhall; Cost $50

The site where the Pinkertons landed during the famous Homestead Steel Strike will be the destination for this unique opportunity to see inside and photograph the historic Pump House on the Mon River. Spend a morning with fellow photographers capturing this amazing piece of Pittsburgh history, the riverside, and the frequent train traffic on the bridge. Instructor: Sylvia Ehler. http://www.riversofsteel.com/shop/product/digital-photo-safari/

The Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area is managed by the non-profit Steel Industry Heritage Corporation (SIHC) in partnership with the National Park Service and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. SIHC works with communities throughout the region to identify, conserve, promote, and interpret the cultural, historic, recreational and other resources associated with steel and steel-related industries. The goal of the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area is to use these resources to encourage community revitalization through cultural tourism, historic preservation, natural and recreational resource conservation, cultural and educational programs and related economic development. Rivers of Steel National Heritage area encompasses Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties. For more information, visit www.riversofsteel.com

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Sherris Moreira

Director of Marketing and Tourism Development for Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area

The Bost Building

623 E. 8th Ave., Homestead, Pa

412.464.4020, ext. 46

Cell: 412.423.TOUR (8687)

Fax: 412.464.4417

www.riversofsteel.com

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