History After Hours: America 250
Happy 250th birthday, America!
For one night only, join the History Center as we toast to the nation’s 250th anniversary with five floors of revolutionary revelry.
Choose your own museum adventure filled with cocktails, crafting, vintage shopping, American history, and interactive experiences at this special 21+ birthday bash.
Raise a glass to 250 years of the red, white, and blue with a special Cherry Bounce cocktail experience with Wigle Whiskey, shop through the eras at the Neighborhood Flea vintage market, create your own zine with War Streets Art Salon, and test your Americana and pop culture knowledge during an All-American Trivia Throwdown (a special edition of the History Center’s popular Hidden History Trivia).
Meet artists featured in My America, pose for a complimentary live watercolor portrait created by illustrator Tara Zalewsky (available on a first-come, first-served basis), and share your hopes for the nation’s future at the interactive Wish Wall.
This 21+ party is part of Civic Season, a nationwide movement to engage young Americans to learn more about history and civics, empowering them to shape the future of democracy.
Party Across American History 🇺🇸
1st Floor – Great Hall
- Shop vintage Americana finds at the Neighborhood Flea vintage market
- Grab red, white, and boozy cocktails at the Common Plea bar
- Join a museum-wide scavenger hunt filled with iconic artifacts and America 250 surprises
3rd Floor – Weisbrod Kitchen Classroom
- Enjoy a special Cherry Bounce cocktail experience with Wigle Whiskey inspired by one of America’s oldest cocktail traditions
4th Floor – Campbell Gallery
- Create your own zine with War Streets Art Salon using archival images from the History Center collection that honor your hometown heritage
5th Floor – Mueller Center
- Share your hopes for the nation’s future at the interactive Wish Wall
- Compete in the All-American Trivia Throwdown
- Meet local artists featured in My America and learn about their work
- Pose for a live watercolor portrait by Tara Zalewsky (first come, first served)
- Toast to 250 years at the Common Plea bar
Admission
Admission is $5 for History Center members and $10 for non-members. This after-hours event includes full-facility access to the museum. Please register in advance online.
America250PA
This program is part of the History Center’s year-long commemoration of the U.S. Semiquincentennial, marking the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, in partnership with America250PA.
America250PA was established by the Pennsylvania state legislature and Governor in 2018 to plan, encourage, develop and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, Pennsylvania’s integral role in that event, and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present, and future.
History Center programs commemorating America’s 250th anniversary are supported by Nimick Forbesway Foundation, Richard King Mellon Foundation, Visit PA, and the Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD).