The Senator John Heinz History Center has started work on its $80 million expansion, with plans to enhance the museum’s offerings and celebrate Pittsburgh’s history. The plan for the expansion, located on a lot next to the existing museum in the city’s Strip District neighborhood, was initiated 10 years ago.”I love seeing the heavy equipment moving. They’re digging foundations right now,” Andy Masich, president and CEO of the history center, said on Thursday.The expansion will feature 92,000 square feet across six stories of museum space, focusing on Pittsburgh’s historical narrative. “It’s about deepening our understanding of our own story as Pittsburghers, as Americans,” Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato said.”This is something that Pittsburgh deserves because Western Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh, well, it’s the essential American city,” Masich said.Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube ChannelThe new space will include a theater, an interactive exhibit on the life of Fred Rogers, smart classrooms for children, an outdoor plaza and a museum of African American history. “People are interested in the Pittsburgh story, and I think the more we can do this, the more kids we bring down here, the more families that come down here,” Mayor Corey O’Connor said. “It’s an anchor tenant in the city of Pittsburgh, and we are happy to support from all levels of government. I think when you see this expansion, you’re going to see more and more people coming to Pittsburgh.”Although construction has begun, the history center is still working to raise the remaining $20 million needed to complete the $80 million capital campaign. “At this point of the campaign, we’re really counting on the people of Pittsburgh, those people who come to the history center and who see themselves in our exhibits,” Masich said. The expansion is scheduled to be completed in 2028.Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.
PITTSBURGH —
The Senator John Heinz History Center has started work on its $80 million expansion, with plans to enhance the museum’s offerings and celebrate Pittsburgh’s history.
The plan for the expansion, located on a lot next to the existing museum in the city’s Strip District neighborhood, was initiated 10 years ago.
“I love seeing the heavy equipment moving. They’re digging foundations right now,” Andy Masich, president and CEO of the history center, said on Thursday.
The expansion will feature 92,000 square feet across six stories of museum space, focusing on Pittsburgh’s historical narrative.
“It’s about deepening our understanding of our own story as Pittsburghers, as Americans,” Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato said.
“This is something that Pittsburgh deserves because Western Pennsylvania and Pittsburgh, well, it’s the essential American city,” Masich said.
Looking for more news in your area | Subscribe to the WTAE YouTube Channel
The new space will include a theater, an interactive exhibit on the life of Fred Rogers, smart classrooms for children, an outdoor plaza and a museum of African American history.
“People are interested in the Pittsburgh story, and I think the more we can do this, the more kids we bring down here, the more families that come down here,” Mayor Corey O’Connor said. “It’s an anchor tenant in the city of Pittsburgh, and we are happy to support from all levels of government. I think when you see this expansion, you’re going to see more and more people coming to Pittsburgh.”
Although construction has begun, the history center is still working to raise the remaining $20 million needed to complete the $80 million capital campaign.
“At this point of the campaign, we’re really counting on the people of Pittsburgh, those people who come to the history center and who see themselves in our exhibits,” Masich said.
The expansion is scheduled to be completed in 2028.
Download the WTAE app to stay connected with breaking news. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news in your inbox.