Uncovering the Cultural District

Discover the small galleries, storefront theaters, and quirky art installations filling the blocks between Penn and Liberty Avenues.

But this section of Downtown was not always so desirable; before the theaters and galleries, this was Pittsburgh’s Red Light district! Join tour host, Alan Irvine, and discover the decades-long strategy that transformed this corner of Downtown into what we see today.

TOUR HOST BIO:

Alan Irvine is an acclaimed storyteller and tour guide. He has been telling stories of Pittsburgh history for over 30 years.

Lonely Planet guidebooks gave Alan’s tours their Top Choice ranking in 2012. He has also recorded two CDs of stories regarding area history, and has many award-winning CDs of other types of stories.

When not telling stories about Pittsburgh, he teaches courses in Pittsburgh history for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at University of Pittsburgh. He also teaches Sociology at Robert Morris University.

TOUR STARTS/ENDS: Corner of 6th and Penn at Heinz Hall, 601 Penn Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

• This is a walking tour: 1-2 miles of walking
• Photography is allowed

This tour is brought to you in part by The Fine Foundation and Koppers.