History Center Field Trips
The History Center offers multi-disciplinary field trips for students of all ages that are both educational and fun. On guided field trips, small student groups are led through tours that follow thematic routes through the History Center’s five floors of exhibits, showcasing the region’s history in a way that supports standards-aligned learning. Educators can also choose to book a self-guided visit.
Field Trip Experiences
Beyond Adversity
Explore the struggles and successes of African Americans in Western Pennsylvania throughout 250 years of history. Learn about the African American experience through Pittsburgh’s role in the abolition movement, the Underground Railroad, Pittsburgh’s groundbreaking jazz scene, and sports teams, including the Homestead Grays and Pittsburgh Crawfords.
Exhibits explored include From Slavery to Freedom, Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation, Special Collections, and the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.
Grades: Designed for grades 3 – 12
Time: 1.5 hours
Attendance: 1 – 3 classes require a minimum 2-hour visit. 4 – 6 classes require a minimum 3.5-hour visit
Cost: $7 per student
Legacies of Innovation
Pittsburgh has been home to many innovators and change agents who have influenced fields like science, journalism, and civil rights to make the world a better place. Explore the stories of these influential people and their innovations, such as George Westinghouse and the air brake, Rachel Carson and environmentalism, Heinz and pure foods, and more.
Exhibits explored may include Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation, Glass: Shattering Notions, From Slavery to Freedom, and Heinz.
Grades: Adaptable for grades 3 – 12
Time: 1.5 hours
Attendance: 1 – 4 classes require a minimum 2-hour visit. 5 – 6 classes require a minimum 3.5-hour visit.
Cost: $7 per student
Many Faces, One City
Western Pennsylvania has long been a region of many cultures and traditions. Explore some of the groups of people that have lived in Western Pennsylvania, including American Indians, Europeans, and African Americans, and the contributions that they have made to the Pittsburgh area.
Exhibits explored include From Slavery to Freedom, Special Collections, the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation, and Clash of Empires.
Grades: Designed for grades 4 – 12
Time: 1.5 hours
Attendance: 1 – 6 classes require a minimum 2-hour visit.
Cost: $7 per student
Pittsburgh's Pastimes
Explore Pittsburgh’s pastimes by examining the history of sports, entertainment, and leisure activities in Western Pennsylvania. Learn how Pittsburgh became the birthplace of professional football and a leading jazz city.
Exhibits explored include the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation, and Special Collections.
Grades: Designed for grades 3 – 6
Time: 1.5 hours
Attendance: 1 – 3 classes require a minimum 2-hour visit. 4 – 6 classes require a minimum 3.5-hour visit.
Cost: $7 per student
Choose one of the programs above and then contact us to arrange your guided visit!
Design Your Own Visit
Self-guided visits are an option for educators who would like to facilitate their own museum experience and direct student learning to fit their individual lesson plans. If educators would like to tour the museum in advance of their field trip to prepare, free admission will be provided for one teacher, just mention it when booking your group visit. Self-guided groups are welcomed by a museum educator and given an overview of the museum.
One chaperone is required per 10 students.
Self-guided groups can explore the museum using digital scavenger hunts on the GuidiGO platform. All groups must provide their own devices.
Grades: All
Time: 1 – 2 hours
Maximum: 75 students
Cost: $5 per student