People and Organizations That Steel Our Heart

Museums in Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is a city rich in heritage and tradition, thanks in large part to early philanthropists like Andrew Carnegie, the Heinz family, and Henry Clay Frick. In more recent years, the highly influential – yet highly unorthodox – artistic style of Andy Warhol brought a creative flair to our city that won’t soon be forgotten.

Something that Carnegie, Heinz, Frick, and Warhol all have in common is their legacy. Specifically, their legacy through the many museums that are an integral aspect of Pittsburgh culture. There is something for everyone here, ranging from classical European artwork to contemporary local artists, and from scientific education to sports history.

Carnegie Museums
Andrew Carnegie was one of the most successful businessmen in Pittsburgh’s early years. Much of his fortune was put right back into the community he had already stimulated with employment and industrial advancement, thus creating the Carnegie Museums 111 years ago. He wanted his money to go toward community ventures that fostered education, creativity, and exploration. Today, four museums call themselves part of the Carnegie tradition: The Carnegie Museum of Natural History, The Carnegie Museum of Art, The Carnegie Science Center, and the Andy Warhol Museum. All four museums are estimated to reach almost 1.3 million people a year through visits, educational outreach, and special events, and have a special emphasis on children’s education. Over 400,000 children in grades K-12 participate in learning programs throughout the year, making Carnegie Museums second only to public schools in providing educational programs. (www.carnegiemuseums.org)

Carnegie Museum of Natural History
In the spirit of Carnegie, the mission of the Natural History Museum is to promote awareness and stewardship of the Earth and life on it. In their effort to encourage visitors’ cultural experiences, the museum has several intriguing permanent exhibits, like ancient Egyptian mummies, depictions of early Native American life, animals depicted in their natural habitats, gems and minerals, and of course, dinosaurs. In 1899, Andrew Carnegie had very distinct orders for his scientists: Find a dinosaur for Pittsburgh! They did, in the form of an 84-foot sauropod named “Dippy.” (www.carnegiemnh.org)

Carnegie Museum of Art
Their collection spans several hundred years of European, Asian, American, and French artwork, and also includes a special Architectural Exhibit, the Heinz Architectural Center. The Heinz Architectural Center opened as part of the museum in 1993, and is one of the three largest collections of architecture plaster casts in the world. Visitors can also enjoy the spectacular marble hall, constructed to resemble the interior of the Parthenon, an architectural masterpiece. Focusing not just on classical masters, Carnegie established his art museum with the “Old masters of tomorrow” in mind. He initiated a series of contemporary art showcases in 1896, establishing what could be the first modern art museum in the U.S., and beginning a tradition that respected and revered contemporary artists as much as the classic artists of the 17th century. (www.cmoa.org)

Carnegie Science Center
The Carnegie Science Center is a relatively new addition. It was added in 1991 as a joint venture with the Buhl Foundation, and is located on the North Shore, overlooking the Ohio River. Their goal is to connect science and learning with everyday life, and were rewarded in 1993 with the National Award for Museum Service. Before the museums, the public had no real way of interacting with scientists and their discoveries. The Science Center, along with the Buhl Planetarium, offers traveling exhibits, laser shows, and observatory SkyWatches. People of all ages can enjoy the miniature railroad village, Omnimax Theatre shows, UPMC Sportsworks facility, the USS Requin Submarine, and any number of the visiting exhibits, which include Bodies: The Exhibition, SeaScape, Building Green, and the Exploration Station. (www.carnegiesciencecenter.org)

The Andy Warhol Museum
Andy Warhol, a Pittsburgh native whose distinctive artwork is hard to mistake, first began his art studies at the Carnegie Museum of Art. It was fitting that in 1994 the Carnegie Museums brought his art back to Pittsburgh. Featuring several permanent exhibits of art and the personal effects of Warhol himself, the museum was created to mirror Warhol’s legacy of depicting art in an ever-changing world. Thus, many traveling exhibits constantly remind visitors of the way popular culture is changing, innovating, and permeating our lives. In addition to traditional ‘on the wall’ art, the museum has interactive programs as part of the exhibits. As Warhol put it, “In the future everybody will be world-famous for 15 minutes.” Through his lively, contemporary artwork, Warhol ensured his 15 minutes of fame would not pass quickly. (www.warhol.org)

Senator John Heinz Regional Pittsburgh History Center
In an effort to preserve history, historical societies were being established in the 19th century in communities throughout the U.S. The Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania was formed in 1884, and worked to preserve archival materials and objects of historical importance. The Historical Society has been reaching out to the public since 1893, and is currently located in the Strip District at the Senator John Heinz Regional Pittsburgh History Center. Partnering with the Smithsonian Institute in 2004 allowed the History Center to expand and become the largest Pennsylvania museum, and allows visitors to interact with local history through a 1790s log cabin, a 1940s Pittsburgh trolley, and discover secrets about the underground railroad, insights into our regional sports legacy, and see how important a role immigrants played in the expansion of the area. Other interesting exhibits include the Flood of 1936, First Ladies, Heinz 57, and Lewis and Clark, to name just a few. (www.pghhistory.org)

The Frick Art and Historical Center
The Frick Art and Historical Center is devoted to the interpretation of the life and times of industrialist and art collector Henry Clay Frick. The museums are comprised of the Clayton House, the fully restored Frick family home; the Frick Art Museum; the Car and Carriage Museum; and the Frick Children’s Playhouse. The museums were originally made possible by Helen Clay Frick, Henry’s daughter, who remained attached to Pittsburgh even after her family relocated to New York in the early 1900s. In 1970, Helen saw to it that her family’s art collection be displayed in the Frick Art Museum, and 20 years later, her family home was reopened for public use and enjoyment. The Car and Carriage Museum opened more recently, in 1997, and features the vehicles of the Frick family, all while providing visitors with a look at automobile history in general and in western Pennsylvania. Located in the East End, the Frick Art and Historical Center sees over 100,000 visitors per year, and doesn’t even charge admission for people who simply want to walk along the grounds and take in the sights. (www.frickart.org)

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