Heinz History Center named America's top history museum as voted by USA Today readers
Pittsburgh's Heinz History Center has been recognized by USA Today as the No. 1 history museum in America in its annual Readers' Choice Awards.
This is the second straight year the museum has earned the top spot on the list.
The History Center finished at the top of the "Best History Museum" list that included 20 other nationally recognized cultural organizations, including the National Civil Rights Museum, the National World War II Museum, and the Museum of the American Revolution, according to an accompanying news release from the museum.
"We are honored that USA Today has selected the History Center as America's best history museum for the second time," said Andy Masich, president and CEO of the History Center. "At the History Center, visitors of all ages can have a meaningful experience while exploring American history. This national recognition means a lot to our staff and volunteers. It reflects the impact we have on communities here in Western Pennsylvania and throughout the country."
The history museum remains the largest in the state, providing six floors of interactive exhibits and activities.
Museum officials say their approach to honoring and preserving western Pennsylvania's past is by telling its story and the stories of many remarkable people who have lived here.
"We have the Warhol, the Carnegie, and the Science Center. The Clemente Museum is right here in Pittsburgh. We have been named the number one history museum in America, but we have world-class museums here," Masich said. "They tell the story of Pittsburghers. We're the 'people museum,' and when people come here, we hope they learn the stories of the people who have come before us and who have made a difference."
Deep within those stories are objects visitors will find that reach back to various periods of history and then forward into modern-day pop culture.
"They see, on loan from the Smithsonian, the first Jeep in the history of the world. They see a lock of George Washington's hair. They see the beginnings of the ketchup empire that H.J. Heinz developed, and they learn that Ed Sheeran, the singer, has a ketchup bottle tattooed on his arm. He's a ketchup freak!"
With the NFL Draft coming to Pittsburgh next year, it becomes a grand opportunity for Pittsburgh to take center stage in front of a worldwide audience. Visitors will have a wide range of history and culture to take in.
"They want to know about the city of bridges. They want to know about the city of champions. They want to make sure that they understand the nuances of our Cultural District. Understanding all the cultural heritage aspects of the city, and one of the great things about Pittsburgh, when you compare us to other cities within the region, is our depth of culture is so rich," said Jerad Bachar, president and CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH.
The complete list of USA Today's Best History Museums can be found here.