Fort Pitt Museum, Pittsburgh

For lovers of American History (even before it was known as the US of A), the Fort PItt Museum is a quaint museum (unlike the grand Carengie Museum or modern Andy Warhol Museum) that is dedicated to Pittsburgh's involvement in the French and Indian War.

Fort Pitt Museum offers a wide variety of exhibits and dioramas that cover from the early French expeditions into this region, to the beginning of Pittsburgh’s industrial age.

The tour of the museum and Point State Park (another Must See Activity) only takes and hour or two, and on nice days, a picnic in the park can turn a visit into a half-day or all-day event.

Children 5 and under are admitted for free.

PLEASE NOTE: The museum is CLOSED until April 17, 2004. Call ahead to make sure it has reopened.

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This museum celebrate the british fort built here during the French and Indian war around which the town of Pittsburgh began. The fort was built in 1759 after the capture of the French fort Duquesne nearby. Today all that remains of the fort are one of the outerwalls and a revolutionary era blockhouse.

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1854 ?Excavations? of the Point

In 1854 the Pennsylvania Railroad began construction of a freight depot at the Point in Pittsburgh. The work unearthed remnants of Fort Pitt and possibly portions of Fort DuQuesne. The discovery of these remnants coupled with the centennial of the beginning of the French and Indian War generated excitement among the people of Pittsburgh.

101 Commonwealth Place
Point State Park
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
(412)-281-9284

Hours of Operation:
Wednesday-Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Admission Fees (effective April 17, 2004):

Children 5 and Under : Free
Children 6-17: $2.00
Adults: $5.00
Seniors (60+): $4.00
Auto/Travel Club Member: $4.00
Associate Members: Free

Directions to Fort Pitt Museum:
Fort Pitt Museum is located inside Point State Park on Commonwealth Place in the city of Pittsburgh. Various parking garages are available.
From the EAST:

Take 376 West to the Stanwix St. Exit. Make a Left at the Red Light onto Fort Pitt Blvd. Bear Right at the Y onto Commonwealth Place. Parking is available to your left.
From the SOUTH:
Take to 279 North through the Fort Pitt Tunnels and across the Fort Pitt Bridge. Take the Blvd. of the Allies Exit. Make a Right at the Red Light onto Commonwealth Place. Parking is available to your right.
From the NORTH:
Take 279 South across Fort Duquesne Bridge. Take the 376 East Exit and watch for the Stanwix St. Exit (turnaround). Make a Left at the Red Light onto Fort Pitt Blvd. Bear Right at the Y onto Commonwealth Place. Parking is available to your left.

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The museum reflects the early history of the point from when George Washington was sent west by the King to lay claim to the area in the name of England, through the end of the fort era and the beginning of the city.

Diorama's display the two prior forts, Fort Prince George and the French Fort Dusquene and tell of the involvement of the French, British and the American Indians, who's actions tell the story of western Pennsylvania.