Making History Blog
Becoming History Detectives
For 27 days this summer, rising fifth and sixth graders from the Pittsburgh Public Schools’ Summer Dreamers Academy explored the History Center’s exhibitions and collections with one goal in mind:…
You Never Know What You’ll Find at Pittsburgh’s Hidden Treasures
Each year, over 1,000 people visit the History Center for the annual Pittsburgh’s Hidden Treasures event with KDKA-TV. The items people bring to the museum include family heirlooms, garage sale…
So How Do You Move a 38-Ton Sherman Tank?
Recent visitors to the Heinz History Center probably have noticed a BIG new addition to the museum’s exterior. The massive green U.S. Army tank parked in front of the building’s…
An American in China: Sgt. Bus Means
August 14, 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II with “Victory over Japan,” or V-J Day. In 1945, Americans rejoiced along with Allies in Europe…
A Closer Look: An 18th Century Cannon
When looking at the Fort Pitt Museum’s reproduction Light British Six Pounder cannon or at the original barrels displayed in the Clash of Empires exhibition on the fifth floor of…
The 50th Anniversary of Josh Gibson’s Hall of Fame Induction, 1972-2022
A plaque in the National Baseball Hall of Fame credits the greatest slugger in Negro Leagues history, Josh Gibson, with “almost 800 home runs.” August 7, 2022, marks the 50th…
Book Reviews: Summer 2015
Pittsburgh’s Mansions By Melanie Linn Gutowski Charleston: Arcadia Publishing, 2013 128 pp., B&W photographs $21.99 paperback Have you ever gazed upon a beautiful Pittsburgh home and wondered who could ever…
Mrs. Soffel and the Biddle Boys
It was a tale that reached legendary status well within its own time. With each newspaper edition, readers devoured reports that revealed the escape, capture, and ultimate death of the…
World War II Correspondence in a Candy Box
Correspondence, paper articles, and military items were stored within a Brach’s chocolates box and reveal some of Lt. Glenn Conner’s experiences during WWII as a navigator in the U. S.…
No Giant Eagle for Fort Pitt!
A demonstration of 18th century cooking techniques as part of the Fort Pitt Museum’s Living History program. Upon arriving at the Point in late November of 1758, British soldiers were…