PITTSBURGH – This holiday season, the Smithsonian’s home in Pittsburgh is offering free admission for kids ages 17 and under now through Jan. 1, 2024, at the Senator John Heinz History Center, Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, and Fort Pitt Museum. Kids free admission is generously supported by community partners Howard Hanna Real Estate Services and UPMC.
“We remain proud to support the Heinz History Center and Pittsburgh community,” said Howard W. “Hoddy” Hanna III, chairman of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services and chair of the History Center’s board of trustees. “The History Center is a cultural gem of the region, and it is our hope that families are able to enjoy time together during a visit this holiday season.”
‘Tis the Season to See Santa
Avoid long lines at the mall, take your photo with Santa Claus at the History Center! Old St. Nick will appear in the Great Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on select dates. Santa visits are included with regular admission and there is no charge to take photos. Santa visits in December are supported by Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. To view specific dates,visit heinzhistorycenter.org.
A Very Merry Pittsburgh Experience
Feel the nostalgia of Christmastime in Downtown Pittsburgh with the History Center’s A Very Merry Pittsburgh experience in the museum’s first floor Great Hall, featuring decorations and familiar objects from popular department stores like Kaufmann’s, Horne’s, and Gimbels.
Prepare for Takeoff: A New Book on Bettis Airport
Authors Brian Butko and Sue Morris will celebrate the launch of their new book, “Bettis: Where Pittsburgh Aviation Took Off,” on Saturday, Dec. 14. Hear fascinating stories that take you back to the dawn of aviation in the region as they dive into the history of the 1920s airport.
Cocktails and Conversation: A Woman’s Place
Join History Center President and CEO Andy Masich on Tuesday, Dec. 17 for an evening of delicious drinks and engaging conversation with the curators behind the dynamic exhibition, A Woman’s Place: How Women Shaped Pittsburgh.
Gut Yontif: A Patchwork Holiday Experience
The Rauh Jewish History Program & Archives will celebrate the Jewish holiday of Chanukah with a one-night only, participatory experience that blends art and tradition. On Saturday, Dec. 28, Rosalind will be showcasing the story of Chanukah through hand-crafted zines and the illumination of hand-painted silk panels honoring the holiday.
The Senator John Heinz History Center, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and the largest history museum in Pennsylvania, presents American history with a Western Pennsylvania connection. The History Center and Sports Museum are located at 1212 Smallman Street in the city’s Strip District. The History Center’s family of museums includes the Sports Museum; the Fort Pitt Museum in historic Point State Park; and Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village, a National Historic Landmark located in Avella, Pa., in Washington County. More information is available at heinzhistorycenter.org.
