Two people stand in front of a vintage military Jeep displayed indoors against brick walls, reading an informational plaque.

The Smithsonian’s Home in Pittsburgh

The Heinz History Center is proud to be the flagship Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution.

Since 2000, this collaborative partnership with the world’s largest museum system has allowed the History Center to bring world-class Smithsonian exhibitions and artifacts to Western Pennsylvania.

Iconic Smithsonian artifacts, such as the world’s oldest jeep or one of the first commercial radio transmitters, are always on view at the Smithsonian’s only affiliate museum in Western Pennsylvania.

As a Smithsonian Affiliate, the History Center regularly hosts groundbreaking, award-winning exhibitions developed in partnership with the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), such as Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission, Portraits of Pittsburgh, American Democracy, and more.

In addition to exhibitions, the History Center and the Smithsonian work closely on a wide scope of projects, including public programs, educational workshops, professional development, and publications.

Smithsonian Lecture Series

The Smithsonian Lecture Series brings experts from the Smithsonian Institution to Pittsburgh, presenting a unique opportunity to hear from the scholars behind the organization’s world-renowned research and museum exhibitions.

While each lecture will focus on a different topic, each expert will offer rare insights into how they preserve, collect, and interpret history at the world’s largest museum, education, and research institution.

Join the Smithsonian

Did you know? If you become a History Center member, you also join the Smithsonian!

That means receiving amazing perks like free access to Smithsonian museums, a subscription to the award-winning Smithsonian magazine, discounts on the online Smithsonian shop, and more.

Smithsonian Affiliate logo featuring a yellow sunburst inside a blue circle to the left of the words Smithsonian Affiliate in black text on a white background.

 

Smithsonian Spotlight

A bronze bust of a man with a thick mustache, neatly combed hair, and wearing a suit with a vest and bow tie, displayed against a plain background.

Portrait Bust of George Westinghouse. Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History.

A vintage military jeep with large off-road tires is displayed indoors on jack stands; the space has brick walls and tall windows in the background.

Bantam Reconnaissance Car, Number 007, 1940. Affectionately known as “Gramps,” this is the oldest surviving Bantam jeep.  The U.S. Army donated Gramps to the Smithsonian Institution in 1944.  Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History.

A metal tool with two crossed handles and several sharp prongs, attached to a handwritten tag labeled J.H. Boltting, Trap for live Kloop-pig &c, 1849, displayed on a gray background.

Patent model, Roebling wire rope. Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History 

A wooden and metal model of an old steam engine with a tall smokestack, its doors open to reveal internal parts, displayed on a wooden base against a white background.

Model of the Rodman Process pioneered at the Fort Pitt Foundry, c. 1864 (base added in 1878)   The first gun built using the Rodman hollow casting process was made at the Fort Pitt Foundry in the 1850s. In 1860, the War Department commissioned Rodman to build the world’s first 15-inch cannon. By 1864, Rodman had also supervised the fabrication of a massive 20-inch gun. This model depicts the specialized intricate casting apparatus used in making the first 20-inch Rodman, which required nearly 80 tons of molten iron poured from three furnaces. A complex four-piece mold was required to shape the cannon, which was cast in an upright position. The completed 20-inch gun barrel, one of six made at the Fort Pitt Foundry, weighed 117,000 pounds. This model educated West Point Military Academy cadets on the casting techniques pioneered in Pittsburgh.     Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History 

A vintage black electrical control panel with three large analog meters at the top, two smaller gauges below them, and an array of switches and fuses arranged along the bottom. The panel includes multiple rotary dials and labeled indicators, all set against a dark metal background.

KDKA transmitter, c. 1921  In the days when there were few regulations for radios, Frank Conrad, a Westinghouse engineer, built a makeshift studio in his garage and played records over the airwaves. His supervisor at Westinghouse, Harry P. Davis saw Conrad’s hobby as a great way to sell more radios, and they applied for the first commercial radio license. On October 27, 1920, they received the call letters KDKA and set up a small studio in Westinghouse’s East Pittsburgh Works. On November 2, KDKA broadcast the election results between Harding and Cox, credited as the first commercial radio broadcast.    Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History  This replica transmitter retains some parts from Frank Conrad’s original, which is credited with the first commercial radio broadcast.