Program areas at Senator John Heinz History Center
Exhibition admissions:the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania was founded in 1879 and is the oldest cultural institution in pittsburgh. The Historical Society operates and does business as the senator john heinz history center, the Western Pennsylvania sports museum, the meadowcroft rockshelter & historic village, the fort pitt museum, and the museum conservation center. This family of museums is nationally known for its award-winner exhibitions, programs, and publications that draws an audience of some 300,000 visitors a year and reaches in excess of 1 million more via programming on broadcast media and the internet.as we continue to bounce back from the covid-19 global pandemic, the annual audience decreased to approximately 225,000. The history center engaged in virtual programming, which included public programs and virtual teaching in classrooms. Many of our programs and teachings were done free of charge and delivered virtually to our community. We were able to reach a wide audience and continue the critical services that we offer to the Western pa community.
Historic life event rentals and commissions:as Pennsylvania's largest history museum and the region's oldest cultural institution, the history center is dedicated to preserving memories and commemorating and celebrating major events - not just the many ways pittsburgh has shaped the world, but business and personal histories as well. These events are all Part of the fabric of what makes pittsburgh an extraordinary city and fosters an appreciation for history for Western pennsylvanians and visitors to our region. During the pandemic, the history center abided by social gathering restrictions and safety protocols, which significantly limited our ability to host these types of life celebrations and events.
Public information programs:the history center maintained a changing schedule of exhibitions, programs, and initiatives that increased our outreach and formed invaluable partnerships. In 2022, the history center successfully launched, researched, or prepared for multiple exhibitions, including: american democracy; we can do it! Wwii; a very merry pittsburgh; pittsburgh's john kane: the life & art of an american workman; pittsburgh, Virginia and more. We also made enhancements to our long-term exhibit, pittsburgh, a tradition of innovation. The history center also successfully held its annual public programs and events, including fort pitt living history programming, vintage pittsburgh, the inaugural martin delany symposium, and a hybrid national history day. More than 225,000 visitors were reached across our museum system in fy22, including the history center, fort pitt museum, and meadowcroft rockshelter and historic village.
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