Heinz History Center is No. 1 history museum in America

There was no Super Bowl hangover for the Senator John Heinz History Center in 2024.

The Strip District museum came tantalizingly close to topping USA Today’s 2023 best history museums in the U.S. list during its first year in contention. It ended up taking the No. 2 spot behind Cincinnati’s National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in last year’s iteration of USA Today’s annual reader-voted poll.

Once again, the Heinz History Center was selected by USA Today’s panel of industry experts as one of 2024’s 10 best history museums nationwide. This time, though, the History Center earned enough votes from USA Today readers to officially earn the title of America’s best history museum.

“This national recognition reflects the dedication of our staff and the appreciation of the communities we serve throughout the country,” Andy Masich, the Heinz History Center’s president and CEO, said via a Friday news release. “Pittsburgh is the city of champions, and we’re thrilled to be able to add another No. 1 to the list.”

The North Side’s Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh and Andy Warhol Museum were also nominated in USA Today’s 2024 best children’s museums and best art museums categories, respectively. The Children’s Museum was the runner-up in 2023’s USA Today poll, while the Andy Warhol Museum finished in fourth place last year.

USA Today readers determined that the Children Museum of Pittsburgh, which made the final poll for the fifth consecutive year, is still the No. 2 children’s museum in the country. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis ended up as USA Today readers’ best children’s museum of 2024.

A museum news release stated that it “sees more than 300,000 visitors annually” and touted its latest exhibit, “Rube Goldberg: The World of Hilarious Invention!,” that opened on Jan. 20 and runs through May 5.

“We’re so honored and grateful to have support from our members, visitors, funders and community, who recognize that we are a top destination for kids and families to explore play and hands-on learning,” Max Pipman, the Children’s Museum’s senior director of communications, said in a statement. “Our entire team is focused on putting together exhibits, programs, workshops, and more that have a positive impact on kids and families.”

The best art museums results will be revealed on March 1. Elsewhere, Film Pittsburgh’s annual Pittsburgh Shorts Film Festival is competing in USA Today’s 2024 best film festival lineup. Voting in that category closes at noon on March 18 before the final best film festival ranking drops on March 29.

The Heinz History Center finished atop a field of 20 museums that included three other Smithsonian-affiliated institutions and more nationally known sites, including the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tenn., and the Pearl Harbor National Memorial in Honolulu.

USA Today readers clearly enjoyed Heinz History Center staples such as its “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” exhibit, Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum and extensive ode to the Heinz legacy. It probably also didn’t hurt that the History Center recently secured one of the former Heinz Field’s giant ketchup bottles and mounted what’s now by far the museum’s biggest artifact onto its facade.

Brady Smith, the History Center’s chief communications officer, highlighted the museum’s upcoming “A Woman’s Place: How Women Shaped Pittsburgh” exhibit that will officially open on March 23. He said via email to expect plenty of artifacts and interactive elements, all designed to “help bring the stories of these barrier-breaking women to life.”

Besides the prestige associated with the annual poll, the impressive showings last year by the History Center, Children’s Museum and Andy Warhol Museum inspired the Allegheny Regional Asset District’s “3 for free” initiative that allowed all three museums to offer free admission throughout August 2023. The History Center set a foot traffic record that month with 65,000 visitors, according to a news release.

Mr. Masich profusely thanked “our visitors, members, and community partners in Western Pennsylvania and beyond” for helping the Heinz History Center claim this victory in its second-ever year as a nominee.

“We are honored to be selected as America’s best history museum by USA Today readers and voters across the nation,” he said. “As the Smithsonian’s flagship affiliate, we take pride in providing our visitors with memorable and inspiring experiences every time they enter our doors.”

Joshua Axelrod: jaxelrod@post-gazette.com and X @jaxelburgh.