THANK YOU! This year’s event was a a success! Thank you to all our volunteers, home owners, and attendees for their participation.
Watch this site, or sign up for our email list, and be the first to learn about next year’s tour and other fund raising events.
The neighborhood has grown over the years and our tour has grown with it! This year’s tour has more variety than ever. We’ll have the always popular Brandau House, a lovingly restored Victorian that has been a staple for many years. We’ll also introduce you to homes that haven’t been open to the public, in all stages of renovation. This year, though, we’ve also added gardens and two new businesses that have decided to call Manchester home – a nearly completed office-share space and local pub with family history.
You’ll also enjoy live music, a historic photo gallery, and food from Manchester residents and local businesses.
With all the new additions, we can’t call this a house tour, so welcome to the new Showcase Manchester! Come and enjoy our tour of historic homes, gardens, and businesses.
NEW for 2019: Guided Tour
The Showcase Manchester Guided Tour is new for 2019. Experience the entire tour along with neighborhood guides. These neighborhood residents will share neighborhood history, as well as their own stories of life in Manchester.
Participates in the guided tour will be greeted by their guides at a designated location – skipping the ticket and will call line. At each tour stop, the group will be allowed to explore the venue before continuing on with stories and history along the route.
This guided tour is extremely limited, so buy early! (Each ticket to the Guided Tour includes full Showcase Manchester ticket and guide book.)
FAQ
Where do I start the tour?
Please start your visit at 1423 Liverpool Street at the Colonel James Anderson House. If you bought tickets in advance, either online or at City Books, this is where you can pick up tour books and entry wristbands. If you need to buy a ticket, we will have plenty of tickets available.
The Guided Tour will meet in the parking lot — look for a sign and guides to check in with them. Guided Tour tickets are a specific purchase.
Is the tour self-guided?
Unless you purchase a specific Guided Tour ticket, you will be exploring Manchester at your own pace. Signs will be placed throughout the neighborhood to help with directions, and a map will be in the tour book with a recommended order to visit tour stops.
This is a walking tour in a city neighborhood. Manchester has the advantage of being a fairly flat neighborhood, but some sidewalks are less than perfect. Pedi-cabs will be available to transport visitors between tour stops at no charge.
Can I bring kids?
Well-behaved, and supervised, children are welcome on the tour. Children under 12 do not require a ticket. Please keep in mind that this is a walking tour, and strollers cannot be accommodated inside tour stops.
How about pets?
Pets are not allowed on the tour. Service animals must be clearly identified. Please note that individual homeowners may refuse entry to service animals as their homes are private property. Many homeowners have their own pets, and introducing new animals into their homes would be stressful.
Tell me more about the Guided Tour!
New this year, we are offering a limited number of Guided Tour tickets. This tour includes all of the tour stops, but you’ll be accompanied by neighborhood residents who can tell you about the neighborhood and answer questions about landmarks that are not on tour. (And if they don’t know the answer right away, we’ll get back to you!)
Is the tour accessible?
Some tour stops offer better accessibility than others. Spaces that are open to the public, such as the Colonel James Anderson House, have ramps to access the building. Most stops on the tour are privately owned, historic homes, and are not accessible.
How can I buy tickets?
We’re so glad you asked! Advance tickets will be available for cash or check purchase at City Books, 908 Galveston Avenue, during normal business hours, until the end of the day on Friday, August 2. The store will provide a voucher to redeem at the ticket booth on tour day.
Advance tickets can also be purchased on the MHS web site until midnight on Friday, August 2.
Tickets will be available for purchase on the day of the tour at the Colonel James Anderson House, 1423 Liverpool Street, Pittsburgh, 15233. We accept cash, checks, and credit cards. Ticket sales end at 4 pm.
How can I pay for my tickets?
Online advance tickets can be purchased with a credit card or PayPal. All online transactions are processed by PayPal, regardless of your payment method.
If you prefer to buy an advance ticket in person, please visit City Books at 908 Galveston Avenue. The store can accept cash or checks (made out to Manchester Historic Society) and will provide a voucher to redeem at the ticket booth on tour day.
Tickets will be available at the Colonel James Anderson House, 1423 Liverpool Street, on the day of the tour. MHS accepts cash, checks, and credit cards.
How long is the tour?
The full walking distance of the tour route is approximately 1.7 miles. If you plan to visit every stop, we recommend planning to spend 3-4 hours in Manchester to allow time to walk between stops and enjoy each tour stop.
Pedi-cabs will be available at no charge to transport visitors between tour stops.
Where can I eat?
You have options! Manchester is thrilled to finally have its very own restaurant, which is one of the tour stops. Leo. a public house opened in the spring of 2019 offering a casual food menu and craft cocktails. If the duck prosciutto is on the menu during the tour, try it. You’re welcome.
While not officially part of the tour, many neighbors offer cold drinks and snacks for purchase along the tour route.
Additional restaurants are located on Western Avenue within easy walking distance of Manchester.
Where can I use the restroom?
A portable toilet will be available in the parking lot at the Colonel James Anderson House. Restrooms will not be available in private homes and gardens on tour.
Where should I park?
Manchester is a city neighborhood with street parking available. No permits are required.
I loved the tour! How can I support MHS?
We are so happy you loved your day – please come back next year! If you would like to make an additional donation to support MHS’ work at the Colonel James Anderson House, you can make a donation here.
Is there anything else I should know?
Manchester is an active, urban neighborhood. Not every neighbor is involved in the tour, and many people are going about their normal Sunday routine while you’re visiting. Please be kind, say hello, and generally behave as a good guest. We know you’d do this anyway.