Senator John Heinz History Center

The Heinz History Center is located in Pittsburgh's historic Strip District

"Heinz History Center" by joseph a is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Quick Facts

MANAGED BY:

Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania

Amenities

14 listed

Accessible Rooms, Assistive Listening Systems, Assistive Listening Systems - T-Coil Compatible, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information, Information - Maps Available, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Internet/WiFi Available, Restroom, Restroom - Accessible, Sign Language Interpreter, Wheelchair Accessible, Wheelchairs Available

Lewis and Clark NHT Visitor Centers and Museums

Visitor Centers (shown in orange), High Potential Historic Sites (shown in black), and Pivotal Places (shown in green) along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail

Located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s historic Strip District, the Senator John Heinz History Center occupies a 100-year old building, formerly the home of the Chautauqua Lake Ice Cream Company, and a five-story wing of the Smithsonian Institute, of which it’s been an affiliate since 2000. Although the museum itself was established in 1879, it moved to its current location over a century later in 1996.  

As the largest museum in the state, the History Center is actually comprised of a complex of museums. These include the Heinz History Center itself, along with the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, the Fort Pitt Musuem, the Meadowcroft Rockshelter & Historic Village, the Detre Library & Archives, and the Museum Conservation Center.  

Here, visitors can learn about the regional history of Western Pennsylvania through permanent and temporary interactive exhibits. As a Smithsonian affiliate, many of the museum’s high-quality exhibits are frequently rotated, inviting visitors back time and time again. Of particular interest are the exhibits on the glass industry, the Heinz company, sports in Western Pennsylvania, the rise and fall of slavery, and early American exploration. The “Rediscovering Lewis and Clark: A Journey with the Rooney Family” exhibit traces the footsteps of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark through a modern retelling of the journey using artifacts and photographs donated by the Rooney Family. 

For more information, call [phone] or visit https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/.