A smiling woman and two children point at a large display of stacked ketchup bottles in a brightly lit museum exhibit. Shelves with assorted items and informational signs are visible in the background.

History Center Exhibits

  • Pittsburgh’s Hidden History

    Open now!
    This spring, the Heinz History Center is unlocking the vault and unveiling a treasure trove of artifacts from its vast collection.

  • People walk through a brightly lit museum exhibit featuring a large artificial tree, colorful display panels, and interactive areas; a woman holds a young childs hand as they explore the exhibit together.

    Mister Rogers' Neighborhood

    Visit the Special Collections Gallery to see original set pieces and exclusive artifacts from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”

  • A museum exhibit titled From Slavery to Freedom displays a large metal shackle and chain on a pedestal, floor illustrations depicting bodies linked by chains, and a seated mannequin representing an enslaved person. The display evokes the transatlantic slave trade era within a history museum in the US.

    From Slavery to Freedom

    Embark on a journey that begins in 18th century Africa and continues through 21st century Western Pennsylvania.

  • A blue Ford self-driving car is displayed in a museum exhibit titled Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation, surrounded by informational panels and artifacts. Two people are walking past the display, with brick walls and additional exhibit pieces visible in the background.

    Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation

    From the Ferris Wheel to the Big Mac, celebrate 250 years of Pittsburgh innovations.

  • A large, illuminated Heinz Tomato Ketchup bottle display stands in the center of a vibrant exhibition space featuring colorful walls, retro-style signage, classic Heinz memorabilia cases, and vintage decor elements.

    Heinz

    Pour on the excitement for 150 years of Heinz innovations as part of the History Center’s newest exhibition.

  • A well-lit Visible Storage room in a US museum with metal shelves filled with antiques, glassware, paintings, and wooden furniture. The space features tall pillars labeled “ARMAMENTS,” “DECORATIVE ARTS,” and “GLASS.”.

    Visible Storage

    Go behind-the-scenes and enjoy hundreds of artifacts from the History Center’s collection.

  • A museum exhibit features vintage clothing on mannequins, historical artifacts, and framed portraits displayed in glass cases. Benches are positioned along a central walkway, and dim overhead lights highlight the displays.

    Special Collections

    Enjoy our state-of-the-art open storage gallery that reflects Western Pennsylvania’s unique blend of cultures, people, and ideas.

  • Three men closely observe a large, translucent yellow-green gemstone displayed in a glass case inside a dimly lit museum with brick walls and historical exhibits visible in the background.

    Glass: Shattering Notions

    Shatter your knowledge of glass and Western Pennsylvania history.

  • A young boy looks up while playing with large blue foam building blocks in an indoor play area. Another child is in the background among scattered blocks. The area is brightly lit and colorful.

    Discovery Place

    For kids! Explore Pittsburgh innovations and the invention process in a fun setting where creativity, science, and history merge.

  • Exhibit hall in a US history museum with exposed wooden beams and brick walls, containing life-sized historical mannequins dressed in period clothing. The scene includes glass display cases and informational panels about the clash of empires and other significant historical events.

    Clash of Empires: The British, French & Indian War, 1754-1763

    Experience the dramatic story of the French & Indian War and its impact as a turning point in American history.

  • Two people walk up a stairwell inside a history museum; the walls feature a large mural of a football player, a “We Can Do It!” Rosie the Riveter poster, and several directional signs indicating stadium seating. The railing also displays directional signage.

    SmartSteps

    Take the stairs and explore unique facts about Pittsburgh history to encourage your climb to fitness.

  • An older man and a young boy sit at a small table playing a game in a museum room featuring a large model cow, a “No Stopping In Tunnel” sign, and a black-and-white photograph of a store mounted on the wall.

    Kidsburgh

    Enjoy the interactive play place for the history fans of tomorrow.

  • A museum exhibit featuring a large black-and-white portrait of a man mounted on a brick wall; an information plaque sits to the left, and a display case is positioned to the right in front of a large metal column.

    Senator John Heinz: A Western Pennsylvania Legacy

    Honor John Heinz’s life, public service, and contributions to arts and culture, the environment, economic development, and society.

  • Pittsburgh’s Hidden History

    Open now!
    This spring, the Heinz History Center is unlocking the vault and unveiling a treasure trove of artifacts from its vast collection.

  • People walk through a brightly lit museum exhibit featuring a large artificial tree, colorful display panels, and interactive areas; a woman holds a young childs hand as they explore the exhibit together.

    Mister Rogers' Neighborhood

    Visit the Special Collections Gallery to see original set pieces and exclusive artifacts from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”

  • A museum exhibit titled From Slavery to Freedom displays a large metal shackle and chain on a pedestal, floor illustrations depicting bodies linked by chains, and a seated mannequin representing an enslaved person. The display evokes the transatlantic slave trade era within a history museum in the US.

    From Slavery to Freedom

    Embark on a journey that begins in 18th century Africa and continues through 21st century Western Pennsylvania.

  • A blue Ford self-driving car is displayed in a museum exhibit titled Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation, surrounded by informational panels and artifacts. Two people are walking past the display, with brick walls and additional exhibit pieces visible in the background.

    Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation

    From the Ferris Wheel to the Big Mac, celebrate 250 years of Pittsburgh innovations.

  • A large, illuminated Heinz Tomato Ketchup bottle display stands in the center of a vibrant exhibition space featuring colorful walls, retro-style signage, classic Heinz memorabilia cases, and vintage decor elements.

    Heinz

    Pour on the excitement for 150 years of Heinz innovations as part of the History Center’s newest exhibition.

  • A well-lit Visible Storage room in a US museum with metal shelves filled with antiques, glassware, paintings, and wooden furniture. The space features tall pillars labeled “ARMAMENTS,” “DECORATIVE ARTS,” and “GLASS.”.

    Visible Storage

    Go behind-the-scenes and enjoy hundreds of artifacts from the History Center’s collection.

  • A museum exhibit features vintage clothing on mannequins, historical artifacts, and framed portraits displayed in glass cases. Benches are positioned along a central walkway, and dim overhead lights highlight the displays.

    Special Collections

    Enjoy our state-of-the-art open storage gallery that reflects Western Pennsylvania’s unique blend of cultures, people, and ideas.

  • Three men closely observe a large, translucent yellow-green gemstone displayed in a glass case inside a dimly lit museum with brick walls and historical exhibits visible in the background.

    Glass: Shattering Notions

    Shatter your knowledge of glass and Western Pennsylvania history.

  • A young boy looks up while playing with large blue foam building blocks in an indoor play area. Another child is in the background among scattered blocks. The area is brightly lit and colorful.

    Discovery Place

    For kids! Explore Pittsburgh innovations and the invention process in a fun setting where creativity, science, and history merge.

  • Exhibit hall in a US history museum with exposed wooden beams and brick walls, containing life-sized historical mannequins dressed in period clothing. The scene includes glass display cases and informational panels about the clash of empires and other significant historical events.

    Clash of Empires: The British, French & Indian War, 1754-1763

    Experience the dramatic story of the French & Indian War and its impact as a turning point in American history.

  • Two people walk up a stairwell inside a history museum; the walls feature a large mural of a football player, a “We Can Do It!” Rosie the Riveter poster, and several directional signs indicating stadium seating. The railing also displays directional signage.

    SmartSteps

    Take the stairs and explore unique facts about Pittsburgh history to encourage your climb to fitness.

  • An older man and a young boy sit at a small table playing a game in a museum room featuring a large model cow, a “No Stopping In Tunnel” sign, and a black-and-white photograph of a store mounted on the wall.

    Kidsburgh

    Enjoy the interactive play place for the history fans of tomorrow.

  • A museum exhibit featuring a large black-and-white portrait of a man mounted on a brick wall; an information plaque sits to the left, and a display case is positioned to the right in front of a large metal column.

    Senator John Heinz: A Western Pennsylvania Legacy

    Honor John Heinz’s life, public service, and contributions to arts and culture, the environment, economic development, and society.