Every object in a museum was once somebody’s treasure. The Stories We Keep: Bringing the World to Pittsburgh, on view at the Senator John Heinz History Center through November 8, 2026, opens the museum’s own vaults to show how Pittsburghers’ keepsakes — immigrant trunks, wartime letters, family photographs, wedding dresses and workshop tools — became the region’s official memory.
The exhibition is both a behind-the-scenes look at how museums collect and a love letter to the families who entrusted their stories to the History Center over its long history. With the closing date approaching, this is the last chance to see these deeply personal artifacts together.
The Heinz History Center is at 1212 Smallman Street in the Strip District; the exhibition is included with admission. Hours and tickets at heinzhistorycenter.org.
