Senator John Heinz History Center — Attraction in Pittsburgh

The Heinz History Center is a stupendous collection of artifacts and stories chronicling the history of the people of Pittsburgh and Western PA. I enjoyed ambling for hours through the exhibits, bouncing between the story of Heinz Foods, the Furniture industry, the Glass Industry, the Sporting Legends of Western Pennsylvania and the “Eyes of Pittsburgh” an exhibit showcasing photographs from area newspapers that marked significant moments in Pittsburgh history.

However, I was bewildered at the lack of recognition given to Pittsburgh’s airline industry between the 1950s and early 2000s. In its heyday, the airline industry at Pittsburgh was vibrant and played a crucial role in the local economy, employing tens of thousands of Yinzers. Yet, The Heinz does not have on display an exhibit or collection of artifacts telling the story of these hardworking people who over decades transformed Pittsburgh into an airline's fortress hub and an airport facility moving over ten million people per year through the national airspace system. Instead, the curators at The Heinz have taken Pittsburgh’s storied history as an airline powerhouse and boiled it down to a little display case showing a metal hook and a brief box of text telling the story of a 1930’s mail delivery service in rural West Virginia. So, as I walked through room after room extolling the history of the Steel, Furniture, Food, Glass and Sporting industries, I was saddened to not come upon a similar exhibit educating visitors on the impact of the airline industry in Pittsburgh, sharing the stories of local airlines Allegheny Airlines and later USAir/USAirways who employed so many in this community. And while the final chapter of Pittsburgh International Airport as a major hub is a sad and bitter chapter, the legacy remains of the dedicated people who for decades put Pittsburgh International Airport and this community on the global map.

Perhaps the sentiment in the community remains one of bitterness and anger over how US Airways abandoned the People of Pittsburgh and so The Heinz has chosen not to fan those flames with an exhibit? Or maybe it's a lack of funding or donation money? Regardless, I think the decades long history of this industry which for better or worse marked a lifestyle and sense of identity for so many Pennsylvanians and deserves acknowledgment inside Pittsburgh’s premier history museum. I encourage the lead curator, Ms. Leslie Przybylek, to comment on why the Heinz has chosen to omit this significant chapter in Pittsburgh’s history from the halls of the museum.

Regardless, the Heinz is a fantastic museum! Be sure to include it in your activities while in...

Date of visit: Sat June 24th No visit to any city should be considered complete without learning some of the history of the city. The best place to do this in Pittsburgh is the Senator John Heinz History center. Here, you will learn all about the origins of the city, the culture, and stories of the people. There are exhibits on the industries that built the city, and have made it what it is today. There are several floors of exhibits, each with a whole new set of stories to tell. There is a mister Rogers exhibit as he was a Pittsburgh native. This includes the Kingdom of Make believe, and various other Mr Rogers props, set pieces and costumes. Sports Fans will enjoy the Sports memorabilia from their favourite steel town teams. Roguetrippers favourite exhibit was Mr Rogers, but also Heinz.

The current temporary exhibit that was on when we arrived, was the Green Book. This exhibit told the story of the “green Book” travel guide that black americans used to traverse across the country in the time of segregation. This guide included hotels, restaurants, gas stations, etc that black people could go to without fear – making their journey less scary. This is a very impactful exhibit because slavery, discrimination, bigotry, segregation, and Jim Crow laws were all disgusting practices. The trials and tribulations that black people have to endure is heartbreaking.

This museum has a lot to offer, and it helps you learn more about this great city.

The cost of visiting is just $20pp – we got 50% off the day we arrived because there was a wedding being set up. There is street Parking, if you can find it, and also a large PAY parking lot...

A Great Day at the Senator John Heinz History Center

From the moment I stepped through the doors, I knew this was going to be a special visit. The building itself, a beautifully restored warehouse in Pittsburgh’s Strip District, felt like the perfect backdrop for the incredible stories inside. Six floors of exhibits stretched out before me—each one drawing me deeper into Western Pennsylvania’s rich history.

The Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood exhibit was a personal highlight. Standing in front of the original set pieces—King Friday’s castle, X the Owl’s tree—I felt a rush of nostalgia and a genuine smile I couldn’t hide. Just steps away, I wandered into the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, where I found Franco Harris’ cleats from the “Immaculate Reception” and Mario Lemieux’s skates. Even as a casual sports fan, the pride and excitement in that space were infectious.

I loved how interactive everything was—touchscreens, hands-on displays, and even a chance to peek behind the scenes in the Visible Storage area, which was like discovering a secret treasure trove of artifacts. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic, eager to share extra stories that brought the exhibits to life.

By the time I left, hours had flown by, and I still hadn’t seen everything. Luckily, my ticket was good for two days—because one visit simply isn’t enough. The Senator John Heinz History Center isn’t just a museum—it’s an experience that makes you feel connected to the past while celebrating the spirit of...