From local inventions to sporting heroes, learn all there is to know about Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania's largest history museum.
Extending across six different floors and housing a range of permanent and temporary exhibits, the Senator John Heinz History Center is the largest history museum in the state of Pennsylvania. The museum covers over 250 years of Pittsburgh's fascinating history from the unexpected inventions that were dreamed up here to the city's rich sporting heritage.Head over to the Tradition of Innovation section of the museum to learn about the many inventions that Pittsburgh’ residents have produced over the years. Learn about the polio vaccine first discovered here. Or how about the planet's most well-known burger, the Big Mac?Make sure to pop over to the Special Collections Gallery to learn about the cultural and business history of "the Steel City", while the life of the Pittsburgh philanthropist for whom the museum is named is explored in depth in his eponymous exhibit.One of the most popular attractions at the Senator John Heinz History Center is the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum. This museum within a museum takes an interactive look at the city's exciting sporting history. Covering two floors and housing over 70 interactive exhibits and 20 audiovisual displays, the museum also boasts a wealth of valuable sporting memorabilia. Take an up-close look at the glove used by legendary baseball player Satchel Paige and check out the car driven by Chip Ganassi when he won the Indy 500 in 2000. Also here are the boxing gloves worn by Billy Conn, "The Pittsburgh Kid".Before you leave the museum, make sure to drop by the library and archive centre, where you can delve deep for information about the people, places and important events of Pittsburgh's last 250 years.The Senator John Heinz History Center is situated on Smallman Street in the city's historic Strip District. You can get here via bus from the city centre, and there is also plentiful paid parking located nearby. The museum is open every day and there is a small entrance fee.
