A Very Merry Pittsburgh

OPEN NOW!

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 exhibit features a collection of family keepsakes, artifacts, film, and imagery exploring how Western Pennsylvanians have celebrated major winter holidays, including Christmas, Chanukah, Diwali, Kwanzaa, and more.

Nostalgic artifacts from Pittsburgh’s popular department stores will be on view, including two recreated holiday windows from Kaufmann’s and memorable objects from Kaufmann’s Santaland. Visitors will see Santa’s original chair and giant Mr. and Mrs. Claus ornaments along with the mailbox where thousands of Pittsburgh children mailed their Christmas wish lists to the North Pole.

A Very Merry Pittsburgh will also include a special section featuring vintage toys dating back to the 1840s, along with a hands-on play area for kids and kids-at-heart.

The exhibition is on view through Dec. 31, 2023.

Exhibit Must-Sees

• An interactive play area with retro toys for kids of all ages to enjoy
• Historic gifts and toys from the 1840s through today that showcase the evolution of gift-giving in Western Pa.
• Holiday decorations and artifacts from downtown Pittsburgh department stores like Kaufmann’s and Horne’s
• Memorable objects from Kaufmann’s Santaland, including Santa’s original chair, giant Mr. and Mrs. Claus ornaments, and the mailbox where thousands of Pittsburgh children mailed their Christmas wish lists to the North Pole