Heinz

History of the Heinz History Center

By facebooker_9300640

  • First roots of History Center

    "Old Residents of Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania" founded (later called Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania) during the 125th anniversary of the French & Indian War.

  • Archives Committee formed

    The Archives Commitee cared for the collection.

  • Rival historical society formed

    Historical Society of Pittsburg and Western Pa. was a rival for 3 years.

  • Name change

    Name changed from Old Residents of Pittsburgh to Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania

  • Rival societies join together

    The rival society (Historical Society of Pittsburg and Western Pa.) consolidated with the Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania.

  • Collections moved

    Moved to the new County Courthouse

  • Activities and collections moved

    Moved to the Carnegie Free Library in Oakland

  • Carnegie becomes life member

    Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Carnegie become life members

  • Papers and books absorbed by library

    Many of HSWP papers and books "absorbed" by Carnegie Library

  • Reorganization meeting

    Reorganization meeting "to do something about the perilous condition of the society." Total membership at 150.

  • State gave money

    State granted $25,000 toward site acquisition and construction of headquarters at Bigelow Blvd.

  • Bigelow Building opens

    Regarded as just a part of a considerably larger structure.

  • $500 in annual support

    From Allegheny County

  • $2,500 in annual support

    From the City of Pittsburgh

  • Magazine premiered

    Western Pennsylvania Historical Magazine premiered

  • $40,000 granted

    From the state towards completion of Bigelow building (matched by Buhl Foundation, Carnegie Corporation, Andrew W. Mellon, and others)

  • Bigelow building dedicated

    Also launched Western PA Historical Survey (1931-36)

  • Women’s auxiliary formed

  • Annual grants ceased

    Annual grants from the City and County ceased due to budget cuts

  • City's bicentennial

    Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania heled plan the City’s bicentennial celebration

  • Total membership: 382

  • Senator John Heinz presented lecture

    "Great Grandfather’s Pittsburgh"

  • Published The Jewish Experience in Western Pennsylvania

  • Preliminary plan for Pittsburgh Regional History Center

  • Jewish Archives established

  • Redesign/re-title of magazine

    Pittsburgh History: A Magazine of the City and Its Region

  • "Homestead: The Story of A Steel Town"

    Exhibit drew 12,000 visitors

  • Major expansion of collections

    Creation of Italian American history project

  • Launch of $20 million capital campaign

    400 members

  • Allegheny County granted $3.1 million

    For purchase Chautauqua Lake Ice Co. Building in the Strip District

  • Polish American and Slovak American Collection projects launched

  • State awarded $7 million grant

    For History Center capital campaign

  • Joint operating agreement with Meadowcroft Village

  • Renovation of History Center building begins

    Campaign goal raised to $36.7 million

  • Publication of Beyond Adversity

    Creation of African American history programs

  • Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center opens its doors

    5,000 members

  • Capital Campaign reached $36.7 million goal

  • First President/CEO hired

    Society reorganized

  • Glass: Shattering Notions

    Published to accompany exhibition of the same name

  • Smithsonian Affiliation

  • Emmy Award

    For Donora Smog “On Q” program collaboration with WQED

  • Became largest museum dedicated to history in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

    $30 million raised. Smithsonian Wing with Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, Mueller Education Center, Special Collections Gallery, and McGuinn Gallery for traveling exhibitions.

  • Center for the French & Indian War established

  • Meadowcroft named National Historic Landmark

  • Steelers Sundays at the History Center

    Live studio broadcast

  • Clash of Empires: The British, French and Indian War 1754 – 1763

    250th anniversay of French and Indian War

  • Installation of life-size figures of George Washington and Franco Harris at Pittsburgh International Airport

    Viewed by 15 million annually

  • Received highest (4-star) Charity Navigator rating

  • Website has record 61,000 hits in one day

    For Steelers 75th Anniversary and Dan Rooney autobiography launch

  • Pittsburgh's 250th birthday

    History Center takes leadership role in celebrating the region’s 250th anniversary and re-branding efforts

  • Launched Pittsburgh: A Tradition of Innovation exhibition

  • Launched new (and current) website

    www.heinzhistorycenter.org

  • Celebrated its 130th anniversary

  • All six Steelers Super Bowl trophies are displayed at the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum.

  • Named an Accredited Museum by The American Association of Museums