PHOTO BY STEPHEN HANSEN

Tucked away on Pittsburgh’s North Side sits Manchester —the city’s largest historic district.

Although the neighborhood went through a period of urban decay in the 1970s — even as it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and designated a City Historic District — Manchester’s grand, turn-of-the-century Victorian homes are being brought back to life thanks to passionate homeowners.

Now, they’re inviting the public to check out their progress.

PHOTO BY JONATHAN STEINHAUSER

Sponsored by the Manchester Historic Society, the 2025 Showcase Manchester takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, August 3. General admission tickets are $30 and can be purchased here.

On the tour, visitors will get to explore at least 10 properties and two gardens. Besides the homes on display, the event will also host food trucks and a variety of local jazz artists.

PHOTO BY STEPHEN HANSEN

Jazz is an integral part of Manchester’s culture, and the organizers wanted live music to supplement each tour, according to event co-chair Julie Kaigler. Pittsburgh-based Piatt Companies is sponsoring several jazz groups, among them the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild Jazz, that will be making music at different houses on the tour.

Kaigler, who attended the tour in 2018 and now resides in the neighborhood, says she has witnessed first hand how property tours can breathe new life into historical spaces.

PHOTO BY JONATHAN STEINHAUSER

“When you wake up every day and see your house, you take it for granted,” Kaigler says. “And you know, when you have your house on the tour and see people looking at it through a different lens, it really makes you appreciate it more.”

Tickets for the showcase may also be purchased on the day of the event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1213 Liverpool St. A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit the Iota Phi Foundation’s HBCU Tour and College Mentoring Program.

Update: A previous version of this article contained an inaccurate quote which misrepresented the history of Manchester. The quote has been removed. Pittsburgh Magazine regrets the error.