We’re making history here in the Strip District! The Heinz History Center is excited to reveal major plans to expand the museum's footprint and impact. This groundbreaking expansion project will help meet the growing demand for the History Center's programs and spaces, ensure long-term sustainability, and support economic development that will boost Pittsburgh’s vibrancy and vitality. At the heart of this transformation is you – the communities we serve here in Western Pennsylvania and across the nation. As the #1 history museum in America and the Smithsonian’s home in Pittsburgh, we’re building a History Center with the room and resources to bring people together to explore our collections and educational programming. The expansion will include a new orientation theater, major exhibitions, smart classrooms, dynamic event spaces, and much more. Read all about it in the Pittsburgh Business Times and stay tuned for more details. https://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/news/2025/05/22/heinz-history-center-big-expansion.html (fb)

By the 1910s, movie theaters had become larger and more ornate than early nickelodeons. Feature films became the most popular form of commercial entertainment in the country, and movie theaters included plush seats and opulent decoration. Going to the movies became an experience. Built on the North Side in 1915, the Garden Theater became a showplace and the centerpiece of its neighborhood. The Beaux Arts-style structure held 1,000 people and showed major motion pictures to family audiences. The theater’s exterior ticket booth, currently on view in Pittsburgh’s Hidden History, recalls the grand theater of old and invites you to step inside and see more. Plan your visit to the museum this Memorial Day weekend to see the new exhibit. (fb)