PHOTOS COURTESY DOORS OPEN PITTSBURGH

Although the organization is nearing the end of its 8th season, Doors Open Pittsburgh, a local nonprofit that hosts walking and boat tours in Pittsburgh and its many neighborhoods, is still welcoming interested participants to learn more about the area.

Bonnie Baxter, founder of Doors Open, welcomes everyone to “#benebbywithus. “Be overtly curious,” she says “Come inside these buildings with us, and learn a little bit more about your city.”

Over the weekend, participants strolled in the Hammett Historic District in Wilkinsburg and viewed artwork along the Allegheny River with Riverlife. They also were invited to explore the Squirrel Hill neighborhood and enter its oldest synagogues. 

Up next, participants will learn more about the Pittsburgh Police Mounted Unit and their horses on Saturday, Oct. 14. Also on Oct. 14, participants can delve into the city’s history with the Roots of Pittsburgh tour, where they’ll hear about the Great Fire of 1845 and the Wall Street of Pittsburgh.

An Oct. 15 tour stops by Hazelwood, where participants will learn more about the 18th century John Woods House, estates built during the Industrial Revolution and even a robotics facility. There’s also a tour that gives an inside look at the Pittsburgh SWAT specialty unit. 

A tour of Pittsburgh Stained Glass Studios takes place on Oct. 21, while an inside look at the Pittsburgh River Rescue Boat House is scheduled for Oct. 28.

Doors Open days are “palpable,” as Baxter put it. People are bouncing around, volunteers quickly form friendships and visitors share personal stories as everyone gathers for a common cause. She believes there are emotional connections to buildings.

“Pittsburgh has its own, I think very interesting and deep history,” says Baxter. “As Pittsburghers I think a lot of us just don’t realize it or just kind of take it for granted.” 

All tickets must be purchased ahead of the tours on the Doors Open website. The regular tour season runs from April to October, during which Doors Open hosts 120 to140 public events and tours. 

“In all cases, they have staff or parishioners or members, if it happens to be a club. And those people are prepared to show off the building,” says Baxter. “They talk about the history, and they talk about the current work that they do in the building and how it impacts the neighborhood. So it’s more of a learning experience, than just kind of helping yourself into a building hoping there’s someone there that knows it.”