Past Exhibits
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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. -
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
#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. -
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 -
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. -
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. -
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. -
We Can Do It! WWII
APRIL 25, 2015 – JAN. 10, 2016
Discover how Pittsburgh affected World War II – and the war affected our region.
-
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. -
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.
-
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. -
Unconquered: History Meets Hollywood at Fort Pitt
AUG. 10, 2013 – OCT. 31, 2014
The Unconquered exhibition examined a turning point in American history. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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.
-
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. -
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
#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. -
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 -
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. -
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. -
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. -
We Can Do It! WWII
APRIL 25, 2015 – JAN. 10, 2016
Discover how Pittsburgh affected World War II – and the war affected our region.
-
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. -
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.
-
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. -
Unconquered: History Meets Hollywood at Fort Pitt
AUG. 10, 2013 – OCT. 31, 2014
The Unconquered exhibition examined a turning point in American history. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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.