In the 1880s, the first steel mill was built in Pittsburgh. By the 1950s, the city’s top export had helped power the Industrial Revolution and supplied crucial materials during World War II.
But why Pittsburgh? Susie Toman, a docent and educator with nonprofit Rivers of Steel, will explain at a presentation Thursday in Murrysville.
The region’s suitability for steel production stems largely from geography and geology, Toman said.
“We start out with an explanation of the Pittsburgh Coal Seam and why it was so essential,” she said. “We also go through the history of Pittsburgh as we tell the story — the War of 1812 when the British cut us off and we needed to be self-sufficient; the introduction of the railroad and how that both helped and hurt us. I talk about the industry’s history alongside the city’s history.”
Toman will discuss the region’s steel-making during a 10 a.m. presentation at the Murrysville Community Library, hosted by the American Association of University Women. A Mt. Lebanon native, Toman conducts walking tours of the Carrie Blast Furnace, teaches environmental science and other river-related programsand presents outreach programs to schools and civic groups like the AAUW.
Rivers of Steel has been in existence since 1992 and southwestern Pennsylvania’s eight counties make up both a state and national heritage area, according to Rivers of Steel marketing and sales director Carly McCoy.
“We’re a federally designated area recognized as significant for our cultural and industrial history,” McCoy said.
There is no cost to attend. The library is at 4130 Sardis Road in Murrysville. For more, email MurrysvilleAAUW@gmail.com.
