Fort Pitt Museum Displays Birthplace of West PA

By Payton Ferris

Located in Point State Park, the Fort Pitt Museum tells the story of the birthplace of Pittsburgh.

This two-floor museum describes the role Western Pennsylvania during the French & Indian War as well as the American Revolution. The location of the fort at the Forks of the Ohio River places an important role in history and the museum itself is a reconstructed bastion that allows for further enrichment of the exhibits on display inside.

Some exhibits on display include the Pittsburgh, Virginia exhibit which describes how two colonies fought for Pittsburgh in 1774. The Keystone of the Frontier exhibit tells the role of the region in the War & the Revolution and uses audio-visual presentations as well as dioramas and artifacts.

One of the ways that the museum stands out in terms of ways to share history is the living history. This program occurs on select weekends and uses reenactors to show what Pittsburgh was like in the 18th-century.

They demonstrate events like how to fire a musket as well as building a fire, but the most anticipated event is perhaps the use of a six-pounder British cannon. Marketing & Communications Director Brady M. Smith also emphasized how the museum “focuses on working with American Indians” to ensure accurate historical depictions.

They have upcoming events such as the tomahawk toss as well as offer tours and educational opportunities for visitors to reserve. The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during every month except January and has tickets available online. Visitors can see real acts of history and learn a little more about the origins of Pittsburgh.