The August Wilson House

Located in Pittsburgh’s historic Hill District, the August Wilson House (AWH) is a nonprofit cultural institution dedicated to honoring the legacy of the Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright. By preserving and activating Wilson’s childhood home, AWH serves as a vibrant space for learning, creativity, and community empowerment.

Wilson’s American Century Cycle, deeply rooted in the Hill District, gave a profound voice to the Black American experience. Today, this legacy defines our core values: access, equality, inclusivity, and enrichment for all.

As a Black-centered arts education center and historic landmark, AWH provides a sanctuary for artistic freedom and civic engagement. Our work intersects historic preservation, community development, and the arts, creating a hub where artists, scholars, and residents celebrate the Hill District’s rich African American heritage.

Through artist fellowships, community performances, and regional partnerships, AWH acts as a catalyst for reinvestment in the Bedford Avenue corridor. We stand as both a monument to the past and a living workshop for the next generation of storytellers and leaders.

Experience the place where one of America’s greatest storytellers began his journey. A visit to August Wilson House invites you to step into the heart of the Hill District and explore the home that shaped August Wilson’s life and work.

House Tours
Your visit includes a guided tour of “Daisy Wilson’s Apartment,” the restored two-room home where August Wilson lived with his mother and five siblings. This intimate space offers a rare glimpse into the everyday world that inspired his artistry and fueled the creation of the American Century Cycle.

• By Appointment: Private and group tours can be scheduled in advance.
• Exhibition Wednesdays & Saturdays: Open tour hours for general visitors are available twice a week whenever exhibits are active.

Artists, scholars, students, neighbors, and visitors from around the world are welcome to experience the living legacy of August Wilson. Let August Wilson’s story inspire yours.

Art for August 2026 Exhibition | February 12-May 31, 2026

A curated collection of original, artist-led works inspired by the life and legacy of August Wilson. Through painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media, artists explore themes central to Wilson’s storytelling—identity, memory, resilience, and the spirit of the Hill District.

Annual August Wilson Birthday Block Party | May 9, 2026

The free annual August Wilson Birthday Block Party, held every April, draws thousands of visitors who come to enjoy diverse entertainment and a wide array of culturally rich foods, goods, and services. By 2024, the event had grown to include 150 vendors and more than 7,500 attendees.

“Jitney” (Italian Production) | May 8-10, 2026

A groundbreaking Italian-language production of August Wilson’s Jitney, presented in partnership with the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company, will be staged from May 8–10, 2026.

Italian director Renzo Carbonera made history by directing the first-ever Italian-language production of August Wilson’s Jitney, performed entirely in Italian and featuring an all-Black cast. In another groundbreaking moment, the August Wilson House, in collaboration with international award-winning theatre company Sardegna Teatro and other partners, will bring this landmark Italian production to the United States.

Backyard Theater Summer Play Series | August-mid-September 2026

August Wilson House partners annually with the Pittsburgh Playwrights Theatre Company to present an August Wilson play in its Backyard Theater. Past productions have included Seven Guitars and King Hedley II, as well as site-based performances at 1839 Wylie Avenue such as Gem of the Ocean, Jitney, Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, Radio Golf, and Fences.