History Center Extends Free Admission for Kids
Kids aged 17 and under receive free admission to the Heinz History Center, Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, and Fort Pitt Museum through Dec. 31.
This holiday season, the Heinz History Center, Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, and Fort Pitt Museum are offering free admission for kids aged 17 and under, now through Dec. 31, 2023. Free admission for kids is generously supported by community partners UPMC and UPMC Health Plan in November and Howard Hanna Real Estate Services in December.
History Center’s Holiday Exhibition Returns
Visitors can relive cherished childhood memories and make new ones inside the History Center’s A Very Merry Pittsburgh exhibition, which opens on Saturday, Nov. 18.
The exhibit features a collection of family keepsakes, artifacts, film, and imagery exploring how Western Pennsylvanians have celebrated major winter holidays, including Christmas, Chanukah, Diwali, Kwanzaa, and more.
Nostalgic artifacts from Pittsburgh’s popular department stores will be on view, including two recreated holiday windows from Kaufmann’s and memorable objects from Kaufmann’s Santaland. Visitors will see Santa’s original chair and giant Mr. and Mrs. Claus ornaments along with the mailbox where thousands of Pittsburgh children mailed their Christmas wish lists to the North Pole.
The A Very Merry Pittsburgh exhibition will also include a special section featuring vintage toys dating back to the 1840s, along with a hands-on play area for kids and kids-at-heart.
The exhibition is on view through Dec. 31.
Santa at the History Center
This holiday season, families can avoid long lines at the mall and take their own photo with Santa Claus in an exact replica of the chair from Kaufmann’s Santaland inside the A Very Merry Pittsburgh exhibition. Old Saint Nick will appear at the History Center from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on these select dates: Nov. 18, 24, 25, and Dec. 2, 9, 16, and 23. Santa visits are included with regular museum admission and there is no charge to take photos. Saturdays with Santa in December are supported by Howard Hanna Real Estate Services.
Holiday Shopping for Uniquely Pittsburgh Gifts
The Heinz History Center Museum Shop is a one-stop shop for uniquely Pittsburgh gifts, from Heinz pickle pajamas to Mister Rogers ornaments and more.
Shoppers can visit shop.heinzhistorycenter.org or the Museum Shop at 1212 Smallman Street daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. No museum admission is required to visit the Museum Shop.
Purchases directly support the museum’s exhibitions and educational programs.