Children's Museum of Pittsburgh facts for kids
The original Children's Museum facility in the former Allegheny Post Office building
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| Location | 10 Children's Way, Allegheny Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,  United States |
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| Coordinates | 40°27′10″N 80°00′23″W / 40.4529°N 80.0064°W |
| CPHD designated | December 26, 1972 |
| PHLF designated | December 26, 1972 |
The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh is a fun, hands-on museum in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It's a special place where kids can learn and play through interactive exhibits. The museum is located in the Allegheny Center neighborhood, which is part of Pittsburgh's Northside.
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History of the Museum
The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh first opened its doors in 1983. It was set up in the old Allegheny Post Office building. This building was given to the museum by the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation. The museum is on Pittsburgh's North Side, which used to be a separate city called Allegheny City.
The museum actually started even earlier, in 1972. It began as a traveling mobile museum at the Three Rivers Arts Festival. This was part of a big wave of children's museums that were starting up across the country at that time.
Expanding the Museum Building
In the early 2000s, the museum decided to get bigger. It expanded from the old post office, which has a beautiful Beaux Arts style, into the empty Art Deco Buhl Planetarium next door.
A special plan was made to connect these two historic buildings. An architect firm designed a modern glass addition. This new part was built over what used to be a street called Allegheny Square. The street was moved, and the new addition connected the two older buildings.
In March 2006, the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh became the largest Silver LEED certified museum in the country. This means the museum's expansion was built using "green" and sustainable methods. They paid close attention to things like saving water, managing energy, using recycled materials, and keeping the air inside clean. To help visitors learn about being a green museum, many of the building's parts, like pipes and beams, are left open so you can see them.
Buhl Community Park
In 2010, plans were announced to fix up a park right in front of the museum. The main feature of this new park is a cool fog sculpture created by an artist named Ned Kahn. The park officially opened on June 23, 2012, with a big community celebration.
Museum Grounds and Sculptures
The museum has a seasonal "Backyard" area. This outdoor space includes an interactive area called "Allegheny Waterworks." It uses old parts from local buildings to create a fun water play environment.
There was once a garden on the museum grounds. It displayed sculptures of important historical figures like Guyasuta and Christopher Gist. These sculptures were made by Charles Keck and saved from the Manchester Bridge when it was taken down in 1970. The garden was removed in the 2000s to make space for more parking. The Guyasuta and Gist sculptures were later moved and reinstalled near Stage AE in the North Shore neighborhood.
Interactive Exhibits
The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh has many exciting exhibits that are always there, plus some that change over time. Some of the ongoing interactive areas include the MAKESHOP, Kindness Gallery, Studio, Backyard, Garage, Garden, Theater, Waterplay, and Nursery. These areas encourage kids to touch, explore, and play.
You can also find special items from the famous TV show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood at the museum. These include some of the original puppets, one of Fred Rogers' cozy sweaters, and his sneakers.
Museum Programs
The Children's Museum of Pittsburgh offers a wide range of programs for kids. These programs cover many different topics, from dance and building rockets to quilting and robotics. Visiting artists often lead workshops where kids can try out pottery, Japanese paper cutting, animation, and painting.
The museum also has a big outreach program. They offer performances, workshops, and after-school programs for schools and groups throughout the year. Educational field trips are available for local schools, scout groups, and other organizations. The museum has worked with many local groups, like the University of Pittsburgh and the Create a Comic Project.
Awards and Recognition
The museum's expansion has received many awards. In 2009, it won a National Medal for Museum and Library Service from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. It also received an award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and LEED silver certification for its green design. The American Institute of Architects also gave it an award.
Jane Werner, the Executive Director of the Children's Museum, received the Green Building Alliance 2006 Shades of Green Leadership Award. This award celebrates leaders who help make the Pittsburgh area more sustainable. Werner was recognized for starting new programs that support green building, raising awareness about green issues, and helping the museum adopt green management practices.
