Ten Ways to Explore the Fort Pitt History Museum in Pittsburgh, PA
This past summer, we enjoyed several days exploring many historical and cultural attractions throughout the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. One important stop was the Fort Pitt Museum, which sits on the same land where the 1759 British fort, which included five barracks used to house hundreds of soldiers in the French and Indian War, was built. The fort was dismantled by the start of the 19th century.
The museum was first opened in 1969 inside a reconstructed part of the fort, and has undergone several renovations and additions over the past 25 years. The 12,000 square foot museum is now open to the public all year round, offering two floors of interactive exhibits highlighting the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the start of the bustling city of Pittsburgh.
Note: The Fort Pitt Museum is located inside the 36 acre Point State Park, an important site during the French and Indian War. The park is situated at the junction of the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers and forms the Ohio River, which runs almost a thousand miles to Illinois, where it dumps into the Mississippi River. See a good map of the park here and a good guide here.
Travel Tips:
10 Ways to Explore the Fort Pitt History Museum:
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- See a 20 foot model of Fort Pitt and what would become the city of Pittsburgh in 1765.
- Walk through a replica round log cabin from the 1760s. Fort Pitt was one of only a handful of locations approved for trading in the 1760s.
- Guess the animal by the touch and color of the hide in the Trader’s Cabin.
- Hide inside a tent in the soldiers’ barracks.
- Measure your height to see if you would have been tall enough to join the Royal American Regiment
- Learn the steps to firing a cannon.
- Play an 18th century wooden game.
- Homeland” Native Nations of Allegheny- See outfits, clothing, tools, and other artifacts of the Native Nations of Allegheny and learn about the 18th century frontier.
- Watch videos that recreate battles in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution and compare the goals of the French, Native American, and British troops. See dioramas of the early forts built on the land where the museum now stands.
- Learn about the top 10 greatest Native American Victories.
Other Spots to Explore in the Area:
- The Fort Pitt Block House, located across the path from the Museum, was originally built in 1764 as part of Fort Pitt, which was one of the largest British forts built in North America. The fort was used during the French and Indian War by the British and then later as a local trading post. Note: The Fort Pitt House is free to visit and is open Friday and Saturday from November through March and Wednesday through Saturday from April through October. See up to date information here.
- Walk down to the riverfront and follow the promenade along the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, taking note of monuments, plaques, and markers (10 in total) commemorating various historical events and people, dating back to the 18th century. There’s also a 150 foot foundation that is operational during warmer months.
- Bike, hike, boat, kayak, fish, or enjoy other recreational activities throughout the park- see the full list and up to date information here. Note: most activities are offered during spring, summer, and early fall.
Looking for other adventures throughout Pittsburgh? See our full City Guide here and our index of featured attractions here. And follow along on our adventures on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.
Disclosure: Our family was given a media pass to explore the Pitt Museum; all opinions expressed are my own.
