Fort Pitt Block House

Fort Pitt Block House

Fort Pitt Block House
4
About
The Fort Pitt Block House was originally constructed in 1764 as a defensive redoubt for Fort Pitt, a key British fortification during the French and Indian War. As the Block House is the only surviving structure left of Fort Pitt, it holds much significance to Pittsburgh and the surrounding area. The oldest authenticated structure in Western Pennsylvania, it is part of the National Historic Landmark of the Forks of the Ohio.The building was first used to defend the fort from Native American Indian attacks during the mid-18th century. After the British abandoned Fort Pitt in 1772, the Block House was used as a trading post for a number of years. During the American Revolution Fort Pitt served as the western headquarters for the Continental Army. Following the Revolution the United States Army decided to slowly dismantle the fort and replace it with a smaller garrison called Fort Fayette.The Block House survived the demolition of Fort Pitt because it was converted into a single-family dwelling in 1785. Over the next one hundred years, different families of various sizes, classes and backgrounds lived in the Block House. In the 1840s it became a multi-family tenement with a family living in the upstairs room and another family living downstairs. During the 19th century the Point District, the former area of Fort Pitt and where the Block House is located, became one of the poorest and most densely populated neighborhoods of Pittsburgh. In 1894 the Block House was gifted to the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) by the structure’s owner, Mary Schenley. An extensive initial restoration was needed to convert the Block House back to its original form. In 1902, the structure faced possible demolition to make way for the construction of warehouses and railway terminals. The Fort Pitt Society, an all-female and all volunteer group, stood up to the Pennsylvania Railroad and powerful industrialists such as Henry Clay Frick to save the Block House – something unheard of at the time. The Block House has survived numerous floods throughout its history, most recently in 2004 during Hurricane Ivan when the water reached halfway up the building’s stone foundation.Under the guardianship of the Fort Pitt Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution of Allegheny County the Block House has remained free and open to the public as a historical site and museum for almost 120 years. Privately owned and operated the Block House receives no state or federal funding and each year welcomes more than 20,000 visitors from local school children to international tourists. It has been described by many as the “jewel of Point State Park.”
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles109 reviews
Excellent
44
Very good
41
Average
21
Poor
2
Terrible
1

davisellu
Baltimore, Maryland523 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020
We stopped to go to the museum and see what was left of Ft. Pitt-- the museum was closed (for all of January 2020) and the building was locked, so it ended up just being a chance to stretch our legs. There's a parking lot ($7) on the other side of the freeway and good signage for and up and down stairs circuitous route over to the park, museum, and building. I'm glad there's at least one old building left, it's hard to think of Pittsburgh as a frontier town, but at least you can see a remnant.
Written January 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hank956
Brownsville, TX1,016 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020 • Solo
What a great place to visit

There is a museum but it was closed early in the morning when I went there.

Love the history of the fort and the layout of the fort is highlighted in white.

The blockhouse is supposed to be the oldest building in the city.
Mindblowing.

A great place for history buffs.

Make time to visit.
Written February 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

greglinmon
Las Cruces, NM1,054 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Family
Just outside the Fort Pitt Museum. Oldest building in Pittsburg, still original from Fort Pitt days. Nothing to journey to see on its own but if at Point State Park and Fort Pitt, might as well stop by.
Written June 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Patricia A
Chicago, IL533 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2017 • Family
This is located in Point State Park, just outside the entrance to Fort Pitt Museum. The museum fee is $8 for adults, $7 seniors and $4.50 for youth.
It is free to enter this small, one room building (The Block House) but it's loaded with history and definitely worth the time. It is the only surviving original structure from Fort Pitt.
It's a short walk from town, and just around the corner from Point State Park and the fountain. I would highly recommend it, it was a lot of fun to see!
Please press "helpful" if you found this helpful, as I wonder if anyone actually reads these....

Written June 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

QuickWhitTravel
Washington DC, DC3,753 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2013 • Couples
This is a truly historic building! A huge percentage of it is original to the eighteenth century, and I learned so much here! I could have spent all day in here talking to the director/curator, and there were even reenactors outside cooking over a fire. Please don't miss it!
Written May 16, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

corniemom
Colonia, NJ77 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2013 • Friends
Locate in the Point State Park right outside the Museum. It only take a few minutes but the history it great.
Written August 6, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joseph C
Louisville, KY62 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2014 • Solo
My family is from Pittsburgh and until recently I was not aware of the Fort Pitt Block House. I decided while I was in the city that I wanted to go see this. The day I went was also a Steelers game and late on a Sunday so I could not take the tour. It was surprising to me to learn this was here beginning in 1764; before out country was our country AND that George Washington as a major fought a battle here as part of the French and Indian war predating the American Revolution. Anyway, standing in front of the Block House it just seems like it is not much. Walking back toward the exit from the park however is a map detailing the Fort and how it covered the Point. Seeing this one small piece in combination with the Block House itself was stunning. This really is under appreciated. I wish I would have had time to visit the museum. I am sure that would have solidified seeing this part of our history unbeknownst to many including me until visiting.
Written November 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

slicemanMunhall_PA
Munhall, PA2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2013 • Solo
Pittsburgh is blessed to have at its center a National Treasure in the Fort Pitt Block House. I've visited the block house my entire life and never get tired of looking at it and imagining the history that took place there. The block house has seen a new life in the ongoing preservation efforts, and we, as protectors of our heritage, are obligated to maintain its integrity for all future generations.
Written October 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

scribblin
Sandy, UT372 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2014 • Couples
What a surprise! Walking up to the Block House, I thought, "Wow, that's small. There must not be much to it." Wrong! Definitely go visit this. Sure, the building is small, but the displays and information provided inside concisely portray a ton of history in a very interesting way. Note the dates of major floods running up the wall (way overhead!), and check out the gun slits soldiers used to defend the area. The Block House is just really cool, and it is well worth your time.
Written October 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Donna S
Florence, WI1,599 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2013 • Solo
Granted that I'm a history nut, but even so, I thought this place was awesome. It's only 1 large room (plus a peak-in attic), but the history and artifacts are cool, and the curator was amazing - just full of interesting stories! Don't miss it! And it's free, tho donations are welcome.
Written September 27, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Fort Pitt Block House - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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