The Heinz History Museum

The Heinz History Center in downtown Pittsburgh is a cool place.  Housed in an old ice warehouse, there are 7 floors of open wooden beamed ceilings and brick walls.  Everything under the sun about Pittsburgh is in there. 

I was a little worried that it was going to be all about sports since there are big banners touting the The Sports Museum.  But the sports stuff is mostly on part of the 2nd floor; the rest of the floors are filled with history and memorabilia related to the city of Pittsburgh and the Western Pennsylvania area.

There is a lot to look at and absorb.  Much of the battling of the French and Indian wars - which I found out was truly a “world war” - took place around here.

 (John wants some boots like this for when he rides his motorcycle)

There are gorgeous wrought iron, aluminum, and glasswork that were made in factories during Pittsburgh’s early years.

The inventiveness of Mr. Westinghouse.

 (The Battle of the Century Contest at the 1939 World's Fair.  The automatic dishwasher wins.)

And, of course, the story of Mr. Heinz and his endeavor to infiltrate the world with his 57 (and more) food products.  The beginning of the processing and packaging of food, for better or worse.  It sure made him a rich man.

There were not many people there on the day that John and I visited.  The building itself is a pleasure to wander around in - very roomy and a little dark.  The huge collection of memorabilia reminded of stuff that we used to have in our basement in KY.  Stuff from not so long ago, but already looking very dated and old fashioned. 

I actually remember using a high chair like this.

And John had a bicycle like this (that he hated because it was so heavy).  I think his Mom got it at a yard sale.