Insider's Guide: Senator John Heinz History Center

Explore Pittsburgh’s Heinz History Center, the #1 History Museum in America

Uncover 250 years of Western Pennsylvania history at the Senator John Heinz History Center, PA's largest history museum. The Smithsonian Affiliate features the original TV set from the iconic "Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood," the world's largest collection of Heinz artifacts, and the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.

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Courtesy of the Heinz History Center

Now the #1 History Museum in America

And that's not all the exciting news about this museum. The Heinz History Center has been voted the #1 History Museum in America for 2024 by USA Today as part of its annual Readers' Choice Awards.

The History Center finished at the top of an impressive list of 20 nationally respected cultural institutions, including three Smithsonian museums and a few National Historic Landmarks, on its way to taking home this well-deserved honor.

Interactive Exhibits

With six floors of exciting exhibits and activities, the Heinz History Center is the perfect place to learn from the past while making unforgettable family memories. Explore the Neighborhood of Make-Believe featuring the original set and puppets from “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Design Pop Art, construct bridges, and more in Discovery Place, or slide down the “Liberty Tube” in the museum’s Kidsburgh exhibit. You and your family could even throw a touchdown pass to legendary Steelers and score the winning goal for the Penguins inside the two-floor Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to punch your SmartSteps stamp card on all six floors of the History Center to receive a FREE Heinz pickle pin!

Courtesy of the Heinz History Center

Special Exhibits

A Woman's Place: How Women Shaped Pittsburgh

Through Oct. 6, 2024

History-making women are all-too-often left out of the history books, and this exhibit looks to flip the script with a deep exploration into the women who made Pittsburgh into the city it is today. This interactive journey through women's history will feature rare artifacts as it highlights legendary Pittsburghers Nellie Bly, Daisy Lampkin, Lois Weber and more, including:

  • Clothing and textiles from the 1830s through today, including the inauguration dress worn by Sophie Masloff, the first and only female mayor of Pittsburgh
  • Original sketches from Peggy Owens Skillen, who helped the iconic PBS show “Sesame Street”
  • Protest posters, buttons, and other objects that tell the story of women’s suffrage
  • A special section on athletes featuring the Olympic jersey of basketball legend and McKeesport native Swin Cash; Suzie McConnell Serio’s WNBA jersey; and a leather baseball glove used by Betsy Jochum of the South Bend (Ind.) Blue Sox of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League

Plan Your Visit

The Senator John Heinz History Center and its family museums, including The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, Fort Pitt Museum and Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village, are open!

Guests are encouraged to pre-purchase online tickets and reserve a date and time of visit.

Courtesy of the Heinz History Center

Museum Admission:

Adult Admission: $20 ($11 for students)
Child Admission: $11 for ages 6-17. 5 and under are free.
Senior Admission: $18

Showcase your Pittsburgh Pride and enjoy all the benefits of being a member, including free admission to the History Center and its museums, and a membership to the Smithsonian Institution. Learn more about being a History Center Member.

Visit the History Center’s website for more information and to plan your visit.

4 Museums in 3 Locations

The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum is a museum-within-a-museum. Located on the second and third floors of the History Center, this sports museum celebrates Pittsburgh’s iconic sports legacy. Take a stroll to the historic Point State Park and see the Fort Pitt Museum, a two-floor, 12,000 square-foot museum that features the region’s essential role during the French & Indian War and the American Revolution. Located in Avella, Washington County, Pennsylvania, Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village is the oldest site of human habitation in North America. This National Historic Landmark also houses three outdoor areas including a 16th century Indian village, 18th century Frontier Trading Post and 19th century village.

Expand your knowledge of Western PA and plan your next family adventure with a trip to the Heinz History Center - Pennsylvania’s largest history museum!

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