Explore 250 years of Pittsburgh’s past at the largest history museum in Pennsylvania.
The Heinz History Center is the primary resource for locals and tourists interested in exploring Pittsburgh’s rich past. Learn about the role that immigrants played in building this world-class city. Climb aboard one of the famous trolley cars from the 1940s and delve into the area’s diverse sports history. It’s easy to spend a morning or afternoon here, with thousands of artifacts spread across six floors and a collection of permanent and changing exhibits. Discover everyday items that were invented in Pittsburgh in the fascinating Tradition of Innovation exhibit. This collection features a diverse array of discoveries, from the vaccine for polio to the world’s most famous hamburger, the Big Mac. The life of the Pittsburgh philanthropist for whom the museum is named, Senator John Heinz, is explored in detail in his namesake exhibit. And the cultural and corporate history of the city is showcased in the Special Collections Gallery. Sports fans will enjoy the chance to learn about famous figures and moments in Pittsburgh’s sporting history. The Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, a “museum within a museum,” covers two floors and houses more than 70 hands-on exhibits, 20 audiovisual items and an extensive collection of memorabilia. See Chip Ganassi’s winning Indy 500 car from 2000, Billy Conn’s boxing gloves and championship belt, and the baseball player Satchel Paige’s glove. Also located within the Heinz History Center are a library and archive center, where you can uncover and research information about people, places or events in the city’s last 250 years. The Senator John Heinz History Center is located on Smallman Street, in the historic Strip District, a few blocks northeast of downtown Pittsburgh. Metered street parking and a parking lot are available nearby. Buses from downtown service the Strip District. The center is open daily, and there is a small charge for entry.