There’s a new bus tour in town, and it’s hitting up important landmarks in Pittsburgh’s Black history — from a famous playwright’s house to a legendary newspaper office. Hop on Culturvate Enterprise's History & Heritage tour through the Hill District on Feb. 28.
Can’t make it? Learn about our city’s Black trailblazers, activists, artists, and athletes year-round with the guide below ⬇️
1. Hear the ‘Sound of the Steel City’
For over seven decades, the radio station WAMO was the rhythm and voice of the Black community, and a new documentary is sharing its cultural impact on Pittsburgh. See exclusive interviews, rare archival footage, and stories from the station's top talent and community leaders at the premiere of “WAMO: The Sound of the Steel City” on Feb. 28.
Fun fact: WAMO initially started as “WHOD” — where Homestead native Mary Dee Dudley became the first Black female disc jockey in the nation.
2. Visit August Wilson’s House
Renowned Pittsburgh playwright August Wilson, who died in 2005, is best known for his series of 10 plays called the “American Century Cycle” — each set in a different decade of the twentieth century, and all but one set in Pittsburgh. Today, you can find his legacy preserved at the August Wilson House in Crawford-Roberts. The restored 1840s home isn’t just a museum; it's a creative hub for theatrical productions, art exhibitions, literary workshops, and more.
Save the date for the annual August Wilson Birthday Block Party on May 9, featuring musical performances, vendors, food trucks, and tours of the house.
3. See an Exhibit at the August Wilson Center
August Wilson’s childhood home isn’t the only place to learn about his legacy. Visit the August Wilson African American Cultural Center in Downtown to see The Writer’s Landscape, a 3,600-square-foot exhibit exploring the people and places of Pittsburgh that shaped Wilson and his work.
It’s also a center for Black art, like music, dance, theater, and film programs, as well as educational activities like lectures and writing workshops. Stop in to see the latest exhibit, Envisioning a Just Pittsburgh.
A uniform worn by Clarence Bruce, second baseman for the Grays from 1946 to 1948. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
4. Explore the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum
Pittsburgh was once a powerhouse for Negro League baseball, with teams like the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords. Some players even wore uniforms for both teams— like Hall-of-Famer Josh Gibson, who’s considered the greatest hitter in baseball history. See this history on display with a short film, memorabilia, and a virtual tour of the Hill District’s Greenlee Field.
White you’re at the Heinz History Center: Stop by the From Slavery to Freedom exhibit to learn about the history of enslavement and the anti-slavery movement, plus the impact of 19th-century activism on the modern quest for civil rights in Pittsburgh.
5. Pour Through the ‘Teenie’ Harris Archives
Carnegie Museum of Art holds more than 75,000 negatives shot by Charles “Teenie” Harris, a legendary local photographer best known for capturing the Black experience during the 20th century. On display, you’ll find pictures of everything from ordinary life in Pittsburgh to visiting stars like jazz great Duke Ellington. Visit for a tour, or browse the collection online.
Explore more Hill District history with the neighborhood’s digital archives. (Francesca Dabecco / City Cast Pittsburgh)
6. Reflect at Freedom Corner in the Hill District
Throughout history, the intersection of Centre Avenue and Crawford Street has been the site of community resistance and the starting point for social justice marches. In 1963, 2,000 Pittsburghers gathered there before departing for Washington, DC to hear Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream” speech. Five years later, locals met at that very same spot for a march following his assasination.
In 1966, after the city had razed swaths of the Hill to make room for the Civic Arena, residents stood at this intersection to demand that “urban renewal” stop there. By then, thousands of families and businesses had been forced out of their neighborhood. A monument honoring their activism and the site's significance was dedicated in 2001.
Today, the site continues to live on as a place for rallies, protests, and parades.
7. Uncover the Story of Freedom House Ambulance
In the 1960s, a trailblazing group of Black men from the Hill District became the nation's very first paramedics, revolutionizing emergency healthcare in the U.S. Listen to our interview with the author of “American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America’s First Paramedics.” Or watch the PBS Documentary “Freedom House Ambulance: The First Responders.”
