Past Exhibits

  • A Woman’s Place: How Women Shaped Pittsburgh

    March 2024 – Jan 2025
    From pioneering investigative journalism to leading their country to Olympic gold, Western Pennsylvania women have made an immeasurable impact in America, but too often, their stories have been overlooked.

  • American Revolutionary War soldiers and Native American warriors engaged in battle among dense trees in a forest; smoke rises around them, with fallen soldiers and broken branches scattered across the chaotic scene.

    Wars of Empire and Liberty

    July 2023 – July 2024
    The History Center partnered with the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia to showcase the Wars of Empire and Liberty: Featuring the revolutionary art of Don Troiani exhibition.

  • Stylized city skyline constructed from colorful gift boxes wrapped with ribbons and bows, arranged at varying heights to resemble buildings, set against a light blue background with white snowflakes falling.

    A Very Merry Pittsburgh

    Nov 18, 2023 – Dec 31, 2023
    This holiday season, visitors can relive cherished childhood memories and make new ones with their loved ones inside the History Center’s A Very Merry Pittsburgh exhibition.

  • Five boys wearing suits pose on and around the front bumper and hood of a vintage car parked on a city street; multi-story brick buildings and leafless trees line the background.

    The Negro Motorist Green Book

    MAY 13, 2023 – August 13, 2023

    Explore the history and legacy of “The Negro Motorist Green Book”, a travel guide that helped Black travelers navigate the nation during the era of segregation and Jim Crow laws.

  • Illustrated cityscape showing rolling hills, houses, bridges, and trains with tracks running through the scene. Overlaid text reads: “Pittsburgh’s John Kane: The Life & Art of an American Workman.” Additional text mentions Heinz History Center and other Pittsburgh museums.

    Pittsburgh’s John Kane: The Life & Art of an American Workman

    MAY 21, 2022 – JANUARY 8, 2023

    Explore the gripping story of a Pittsburgh immigrant who endured poverty, tragedy, and other adversities to become one of the world’s most revered self-taught artists.

  • Split image: Left side shows a vintage black-and-white photograph of children standing with their right hands over their hearts, facing a flag for the Pledge of Allegiance; right side displays a round button with the words “American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith” printed in blue and red text on a white background, set against a blue backdrop with scattered colorful confetti.

    American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith

    MARCH 13 – OCTOBER 10, 2021
    The History Center examined the bold experiment to create a government “of the people, by the people, and for the people” in its exhibition, American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith.

  • A collage of six diverse portraits, depicting men and women of different ages and ethnicities in various artistic styles, arranged around centered text that reads: “Smithsonian’s Portraits of Pittsburgh. Works from the National Portrait Gallery.”.

    Smithsonian’s Portraits of Pittsburgh

    JULY 2020 – DEC. 2020
    This exhibition featured original paintings, sketches, prints, and photographs that showcase more than 100 Americans with Western Pennsylvania connections.

  • Nine figures in flowing, earth-toned garments dance together with outstretched arms, positioned in unison against a vibrant abstract background of orange and brown hues.

    Master Visual Artists VII: Preserving the Legacy

    DEC. 14, 2019 – MARCH 21, 2021
    A captivating art exhibition presented in partnership with the Master Visual Artists Project – a local group dedicated to recognizing the lifelong achievements of influential artists in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

  • Illustration of a city skyline featuring gift-wrapped buildings in red, blue, teal, and white tones. Stylized trees and snowflakes accentuate the wintry scene. The color palette and decorative elements evoke a festive holiday atmosphere inspired by past museum exhibits.

    A Very Merry Pittsburgh

    NOV. 16, 2019 – JAN. 5, 2020
    During the holiday season, relive holiday memories and make new ones with your family at the History Center’s A Very Merry Pittsburgh exhibit.

  • Large orange gradient letters spelling VIETNAM WAR displayed on a black background, with white vertical text reading 1945-1975 alongside, referencing past exhibits on this era at a US history museum.

    The Vietnam War: 1945-1975

    APRIL 13 – SEPT. 22, 2019
    The History Center hosted a groundbreaking exhibition on one of the most controversial events of the 20th century: the Vietnam War.

     

  • An astronaut wearing a white spacesuit stands on the gray, rocky surface of the Moon next to an upright American flag. Footprints are visible in the dust beneath them, and the background shows the blackness of space.

    Destination Moon: The Apollo 11 Mission

    SEPTEMBER 28, 2018 – FEB. 18, 2019
    Go on an in-depth exploration of the Apollo 11 mission, the birth of the American space program, and the space race in the Smithsonian’s Destination Moon exhibit.

  • Event poster with a dark geometric patterned background. Large white text reads: “FashionsAfricana presents Heroes & Sheroes: The Art and Influence of Ruth E. Carter in Black Cinema—an inspiring tribute, building on the legacy of past exhibits.” A white owl logo is on the left side of the poster.

    Heroes & Sheroes: The Art and Influence of Ruth E. Carter in Black Cinema

    AUGUST 25, 2018 – DECEMBER 2, 2018
    Hosted by FashionAFRICANA, Heroes & Sheroes was an invitation inside Ruth E. Carter’s process, passion, and costume design acumen.

  • Photograph of a history museum exhibition space with walls displaying black-and-white photographs, vintage posters, and historical artifacts in glass cases. Large signage with bold and script fonts reads: American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition, one of our memorable past exhibits. Visitors are seen walking through the area and viewing displays related to the Prohibition era in the United States.

    American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition

    FEBRUARY 10, 2018 – JUNE 10, 2018
    Step back in time to an exhilarating era of flappers and suffragists, bootleggers and temperance workers, and real-life legends like Al Capone and Carry Nation.

  • Red graphic featuring white text that reads “A Very Merry Pittsburgh,” decorated with white snowflakes and stylized white gears arranged above and around the text. The decorative elements are similar to those seen in previous exhibits.

    A Very Merry Pittsburgh

    NOVEMBER 18, 2017 – JANUARY 15, 2018
    Relive cherished memories at a new holly jolly exhibition that featured original artifacts from Kaufmann’s/Macy’s, Christmas decorations, historic toys, and more.

  • A slice of pie topped with whipped cream sits on a red patterned table surface, surrounded by several metal forks. Nearby are a pumpkin, a glass jar with a red-and-white checkered lid, a small ceramic creamer, a vintage spice canister labeled Spice Islands, and a metal pie server.

    Art of Facts | Uncovering Pittsburgh Stories

    JULY 2017 – APRIL 2018
    The Art of Facts exhibit creatively interpreted the rich history of Western Pennsylvania and shared its compelling stories through the art of illustration.

  • Three engraved powder horns displayed on individual stands in a museum, each horn featuring intricate carvings and designs; informational plaques are visible in the background.

    From Maps to Mermaids: Carved Powder Horns in Early America

    JUNE 2017 – OCTOBER 2019
    This exhibit explored numerous powder horns made or used on the Pennsylvania and Virginia frontiers, their practical uses, and their representation of early American folk art.

  • Black-and-white photograph of Pittsburgh at night, featuring illuminated city bridges, buildings, and spotlights; overlaid with yellow text reading “#pixburgh a photographic experience” and a camera icon.

    #Pixburgh: A Photographic Experience

    DECEMBER 17, 2016 – SEPTEMBER 24, 2017
    Transport yourself back in time to see what makes Pittsburgh unique through the History Center’s extensive collection of photographs.

  • A yellow suspension bridge crosses a river, with cars traveling across it toward a city skyline featuring trees, warehouses, and various buildings. The words ALLEGHENY KINDYS are displayed on the rooftop of one building.

    The Gift of Art: 100 Years of Art from the Pittsburgh Public Schools’ Collection

    NOVEMBER 2016 – JUNE 2017
    The Gift of Art exhibit featured nearly 80 paintings, as well as sculpture and other media, from the Public Schools’ collection

     

  • Yellow and black graphic featuring various emoji faces displaying different emotions. Bold text reads “2015 EXPRESSIONS.” Additional text below states, “Photographs from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, highlighting images featured in past exhibits.”.

    Expressions: Photographs from the Post-Gazette 2015

    APRIL 2016 – NOVEMBER 2016
    The Expressions: Photographs from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2015 exhibit featured 75 photos from 2015, including the work of more than a dozen photographers.

  • Logo with the word TOYS in bold, colorful blocks, each letter featuring a different color and style; underneath, brown text reads of the 50s, 60s and 70s; the entire image is surrounded by a pink border.

    Toys of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s

    MARCH 4, 2016 – MAY 31, 2016
    The Toys exhibit showcased many of the nation’s most popular toys and demonstrated how these toys reflected three decades of dynamic changes in American life.

  • A historical illustration depicting an interaction between Native Americans and European settlers. Two Native American women are shown comforting children in the foreground, while several settlers—including men in uniform—stand nearby watching and gesturing. The facial expressions and body language of both groups convey tension and concern. The scene is set outdoors with sparse natural background elements.

    Captured by Indians

    MAY 22, 2015 – OCT. 2, 2016
    The Captured by Indians exhibit examined the practice of captivity from its prehistoric roots to its impact on modern American Indians and other ethnicities.

     

  • Illustration of a woman wearing a red polka-dot bandana and blue shirt, flexing her right arm in a gesture of strength. Background is yellow with blue and white text that reads “We Can Do It!” and “WWII.” Artwork uses bold yellow, blue, red, and white colors.

    We Can Do It! WWII

    APRIL 25, 2015 – JAN. 10, 2016

    Discover how Pittsburgh affected World War II – and the war affected our region.

  • A large full moon rises behind a modern glass skyscraper featuring multiple pointed spires, with the building illuminated against a clear blue sky.

    Close-Up: Photographs from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2014

    APRIL 2015 – MARCH 2016
    The Close-Up: Photographs from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2014 exhibit, featured more than 70 photos from 2014, including the work of 16 photographers.

  • Illustration of a steamboat emitting smoke from its two stacks, set within ornate decorative borders. Above and below the image, text reads: Pittsburghs Lost Steamboat – Treasures of the Arabia, referencing a former museum exhibit.

    Pittsburgh’s Lost Steamboat: Treasures of the Arabia

    APRIL 24, 2014 – JAN. 11, 2015

    This exhibition examined the largest time capsule of pre-Civil War items ever discovered.

     

  • A giant inflatable yellow rubber duck floats on a body of water, partially obscured by water spray from a fountain in the foreground; trees and multi-story buildings are visible in the background.

    Post-Gazette Photographers: Best of 2013

    APRIL 2014 – MARCH 2015
    The Post-Gazette Photographers: Best of 2013 exhibit, featured more than 60 photos from 2013, including the work of 13 photographers.

  • A man in a blue military uniform and hat holds a woman in a torn white dress with one arm while aiming pistols in both hands. The background features a decorative border and an empty, parchment-like area reminiscent of historical exhibits.

    Unconquered: History Meets Hollywood at Fort Pitt

    AUG. 10, 2013 – OCT. 31, 2014
    The Unconquered exhibition examined a turning point in American history.

  • Old black-and-white photograph of a Civil War soldier in uniform standing with American flags in the background. Overlaid text reads 1861 1865 Pennsylvania’s Civil War, with a keystone and star logo above the text.

    Pennsylvania’s Civil War: 1861 – 1865

    JUNE 22, 2013 – JAN. 6, 2014
    This exhibition took an in-depth look at Pennsylvania’s significant role during the Civil War.

     

  • The numbers 1968 appear large against a black background. Each numeral is filled with different photographic images: the number 1 shows a soldier in uniform; the number 9 contains a man holding or operating a puppet; the number 6 features a woman participating in a protest, holding up her hand or sign; and the number 8 displays a man speaking, possibly addressing an audience.

    1968: The Year That Rocked America

    FEB. 2 – MAY 12, 2013
    The 1968 exhibit covered the year 1968, a turning point in American history and for its people.

  • Logo for the Pro Football Hall of Fame displaying a stylized white and red building with the words Pro Football Hall of Fame in bold letters above Gridiron Glory, set against a gradient blue background.

    Gridiron Glory: The Best of the Pro Football Hall of Fame

    OCT. 6, 2012 – JAN. 6, 2013
    Gridiron Glory focused on the history of pro football, from its humble beginnings in 1892 to its rise as one of the world’s most beloved sports.

  • A close-up photograph of a mosaic artwork depicts a human face with a golden halo, composed of small, colorful tiles in gold, brown, and beige. The figure has a serene expression and is set against a bright golden background.

    Vatican Splendors: A Journey Through Faith and Art

    OCT. 2, 2010 – JAN. 9, 2011
    Vatican Splendors: A Journey Through Faith and Art presented unique objects illustrating 2,000 years of art, history, and culture.