Welcome to America's #1 History Museum

Plan Your Visit

Get to Know Our Family of Museums

A lively urban street scene at dusk shows people walking, biking, and riding scooters near a large, illuminated history museum. *AI generated alt text

Building the Next Chapter of Pittsburgh’s Story

History For All

Heinz History Center

Explore the Heinz History Center’s campaign to expand the Smithsonian’s home in Pittsburgh with new exhibits and spaces for learning and connection.

Join Us
A skeleton waves from a trolley labeled Spooky St., surrounded by pumpkins and bats, for Heinz History Center Halloween. *AI generated alt text

Spooky Season Starts Here

Events

Heinz History Center

Discover the spooky side of history with a haunting lineup of programs at the Heinz History Center and Fort Pitt Museum. From haunted house history to spooky trivia and a family-friendly Halloween bash, there’s something for ghosts and ghouls of all ages.

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What's On: Events

Search our calendar of upcoming events hosted by our family of museums!

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  • October 3

    A group of people observe an indoor fossil excavation site at the museum, with wooden beams across the ceiling and natural light shining through slatted walls. *AI generated alt text
    Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village – 10:00 AM

    Archaeology Day

    Dig into the past at Meadowcroft’s Archaeology Day!

  • October 3

    A Native American man stands beside a seated European man dressed in colonial-era clothing. Both are shown in detailed attire, with Fort Pitt and an active landscape featuring multiple figures in the background. *AI generated alt text
    Fort Pitt Museum – 11:00 AM

    Living History: The 1776 Gathering at Fort Pitt

    Step back into 18th-century Fort Pitt with living history demonstrations.

  • October 7

    A graphic display features the words GAME CHANGERS in bold red text, with green wavy lines above. Below, FRANCOS ITALIAN ARMY appears in white lettering on a green banner. In the background, there is a faint image of a football referencing Bobby Grier’s role as an influential figure in football history. *AI generated alt text
    Franco Harris Sports Museum – 6:00 PM

    Game Changers: Franco's Italian Army

    Join the Franco Harris Sports Museum and the History Center’s Italian American Program to explore the story behind Franco’s Italian Army, the legendary fan group that helped forge the rise of Steelers Nation, representing a new identity for Pittsburgh that merged the city with sports.

    Tickets Required

  • October 10

    A landscape showing green trees, rolling hills, and a sky with scattered clouds illuminated by sunlight. Fields and distant mountains are visible in the background. The composition represents the natural environment historically found near Fort Pitt. *AI generated alt text
    Fort Pitt Museum – 1:00 PM

    Speaker Saturday: Braddock’s Defeat

    Explore the peculiar phenomenon of battlefield macabre tourism through the story of Braddock’s Defeat.

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A young woman with dark brown hair reads at a desk in a library.

Preserving Pittsburgh’s Memories

Detre Library & Archives

Heinz History Center

Research family history, explore historic images, and search thousands of documents in the Detre Library & Archives at the History Center. Open Wednesday through Saturday and free to all visitors. 

Research & Explore

More than a ketchup museum.

The Heinz History Center is Pittsburgh’s people museum. We share the inspiring stories of Western Pennsylvania’s people who have helped change the course of American history. See for yourself. 

Explore Exhibits
  • A man and a young girl enthusiastically interact with a colorful exhibit at the Heinz History Center; the man smiles while the girl, dressed in a blue dress, points at the display. Other visitors and museum exhibits appear in the background.

    Kids & Families

    Build bridges in the interactive Discovery Place or explore the Neighborhood of Make–Believe.  

  • Various black and gold Pittsburgh sports merchandise from the History Center Museum Shop.

    Unique Pittsburgh Gifts

    From exclusive Heinz merch to the Mister Rogers kindness collection, find the perfect Pittsburgh gift at the Museum Shop.

  • Two people stand in front of a vintage military Jeep displayed indoors against brick walls, reading an informational plaque.

    Smithsonian Treasures

    Discover Smithsonian artifacts at the History Center and learn more about the museum’s Smithsonian affiliation. 

  • Two women wearing striped aprons and white caps prepare and pack vegetables at a table labeled Heinz, surrounded by bowls of produce and glass jars, a historical food processing scene.

    Explore Our Collections

    Thousands of artifacts and historic images, at your fingertips.

  • A man and a young girl enthusiastically interact with a colorful exhibit at the Heinz History Center; the man smiles while the girl, dressed in a blue dress, points at the display. Other visitors and museum exhibits appear in the background.

    Kids & Families

    Build bridges in the interactive Discovery Place or explore the Neighborhood of Make–Believe.  

  • Various black and gold Pittsburgh sports merchandise from the History Center Museum Shop.

    Unique Pittsburgh Gifts

    From exclusive Heinz merch to the Mister Rogers kindness collection, find the perfect Pittsburgh gift at the Museum Shop.

  • Two people stand in front of a vintage military Jeep displayed indoors against brick walls, reading an informational plaque.

    Smithsonian Treasures

    Discover Smithsonian artifacts at the History Center and learn more about the museum’s Smithsonian affiliation. 

  • Two women wearing striped aprons and white caps prepare and pack vegetables at a table labeled Heinz, surrounded by bowls of produce and glass jars, a historical food processing scene.

    Explore Our Collections

    Thousands of artifacts and historic images, at your fingertips.