The Senator John Heinz History Center is rolling out a festive lineup for the holiday season, giving families a convenient alternative to crowded malls. Admission includes free visits with Santa Claus on select dates, and a variety of themed activities throughout November and December.
Santa Visits and Photo Opportunities
Old St. Nick will appear in the museum’s Great Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on November 27‑29, December 5‑6, December 12, and December 19‑20. The Santa visits are included with regular admission, and families can take complimentary photos with the jolly visitor.
Ice‑Age Exhibit and Winter Wonderland
Guests can explore “Planet Ice: Mysteries of the Ice Ages,” an 80,000‑year journey through glacial landscapes populated by mastodons, saber‑toothed cats, and giant beavers. The exhibit features full‑scale skeleton replicas, regional mastodon bones, and artifacts from Meadowcroft Rockshelter that illuminate life in ancient Pennsylvania.
On November 28, the Center will host a frosty family‑fun day titled “Winter Wonderland: A Journey Through Ice and Time.” From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., families can sip hot cocoa, listen to campfire stories, and learn to use a prehistoric spear thrower with champions from the World Atlatl Association. The day also includes a screening of the animated film “Ice Age” and another holiday photo session with Santa.
New Art Exhibition
Opening this Saturday, the museum presents “A.H. Gorson: Painting the Steel City,” showcasing 44 paintings by pioneering landscape artist Aaron Harry Gorson. Inspired by Maxwell King’s biography “Fire in the Night Sky,” the exhibition pairs Gorson’s vivid depictions of Pittsburgh’s mills with historic photographs, archival documents, and steel‑making artifacts. Gorson, a Lithuanian‑born Jewish immigrant, captured the light and color of the city’s industrial heart, turning factories into dramatic landscapes that celebrate America’s Steel City.
Gilded Age Evening
On December 4, the Center will partner with The Frick Pittsburgh for an evening exploring Pittsburgh’s Gilded Age. Curators and historians will discuss HBO’s series “The Gilded Age” and connect its storylines to local figures such as the Carnegies, the Fricks, prominent African‑American families, and the laborers who powered the city’s growth. Attendees can enjoy cocktails, live music, historic gowns, and an interactive scavenger hunt that guides them through the museum’s collections.
Free Admission for Children
All children 17 and under receive free admission through the Kamin “Free for Kids” Initiative, making the holiday programming accessible to families across the region.
For additional details and a full schedule, visit heinzhistorycenter.org/holidays.
Original reporting: Herald-Standard – latest news for Uniontown, Pennsylvania — read the source article.
