Senator John Heinz Regional History Centre

Senator John Heinz Regional History Centre featuring interior views
Senator John Heinz Regional History Centre which includes heritage elements and interior views
Senator John Heinz Regional History Centre featuring interior views
Senator John Heinz Regional History Centre which includes interior views
Senator John Heinz Regional History Centre which includes interior views


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.

Holiday & seasonal tours

See all 3 activitiesOpens in new tab

Popular places to visit


Top Hotel Deals

Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown
Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown
3.5 out of 5
600 Commonwealth Pl, Pittsburgh, PA
Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh Downtown
Omni William Penn Hotel
Omni William Penn Hotel
4 out of 5
530 William Penn Place, Pittsburgh, PA
Omni William Penn Hotel
Homewood Suites by Hilton Pittsburgh Downtown
Homewood Suites by Hilton Pittsburgh Downtown
3 out of 5
1410 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA
Homewood Suites by Hilton Pittsburgh Downtown
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh, an IHG Hotel
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh, an IHG Hotel
4.5 out of 5
620 William Penn Place, Pittsburgh, PA
Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh, an IHG Hotel
Pittsburgh Marriott City Center
Pittsburgh Marriott City Center
3.5 out of 5
112 Washington Pl, Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh Marriott City Center
Hampton Inn & Suites Pittsburgh-Downtown
Hampton Inn & Suites Pittsburgh-Downtown
2.5 out of 5
1247 Smallman St, Pittsburgh, PA
Hampton Inn & Suites Pittsburgh-Downtown
Drury Plaza Hotel Pittsburgh Downtown
Drury Plaza Hotel Pittsburgh Downtown
3 out of 5
745 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA
Drury Plaza Hotel Pittsburgh Downtown
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Pittsburgh Downtown
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Pittsburgh Downtown
4 out of 5
One Bigelow Square, Pittsburgh, PA
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Pittsburgh Downtown
Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh Downtown
Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh Downtown
3 out of 5
250 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA
Hilton Garden Inn Pittsburgh Downtown
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.