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Museum exhibit on Pennsylvania’s role in Civil War to end

PITTSBURGH – The Senator John Heinz History Center exhibition, Pennsylvania’s Civil War, presented by Mylan, will close Jan. 5.

The exhibition provides visitors with an in-depth look at Pennsylvania’s role during the Civil War. In addition to highlighting the state’s contributions to important conflicts such as the Battle of Gettysburg, the exhibit showcases Pittsburgh’s role as the “Arsenal of the Union” and the impact that Western Pennsylvanians had on the war both on the battlefield and on the home front.

The exhibition is a key component in a series of History Center programs and publications developed in partnership with PA Civil War 150, the statewide initiative to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.

Pennsylvania’s Civil War features more than 150 artifacts, including items on loan from the Smithsonian Institution, the State Museum of Pennsylvania and the National Civil War Museum, along with rare archival images, six life-like museum figures and immersive settings. The exhibition helps to bring to life the personal stories of those impacted during the four-year war, including soldiers, women, African Americans and children.

Many of the artifacts featured in the exhibit are selected from the History Center’s collection, as well as private collectors, including noted Civil War author Kenneth Turner.

Highlights of the Pennsylvania’s Civil War exhibit include:

A massive 26-foot-long, nine-ton smooth bore Rodman Cannon, underwritten by Dan and Bonnie Sandman, which provides a life-size example of Pittsburgh’s military production and prowess during the Civil War. The History Center utilized an innovative 3-D printing process to create the reproduction from the original 1864 cannon that was built in the Strip District’s Fort Pitt Foundry.

An immersive setting where visitors can walk through a recreated street in 1863 Pittsburgh and learn about the looming threat of a Confederate invasion.

A tintype camera and portable printing press on loan from the Smithsonian Institution.

Original Civil War recruitment posters from communities across Pennsylvania, including Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Blairsville, Lock Haven and Meadville.

To commemorate the final weeks of the Pennsylvania’s Civil War exhibition, the History Center recently produced a series of five videos on select topics that feature Civil War-era music, rare photos and commentary from History Center President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Masich.

The Civil War Video Series highlights include:

Dog Jack, a brown and white bull terrier who was adopted into Company F of the 102nd Pennsylvania infantry.

Strong Vincent, a young attorney from Erie, Pa. who rallied Union troops at Gettysburg in the fierce battle on Little Round Top with the phrase, “Don’t give an inch!”

Allegheny Arsenal, the Lawrenceville manufacturing center which produced ammunition and supplies for the Union Army and was also the site of the largest civilian disaster during the Civil War.

Rodman Cannon, the largest cast iron cannon which was produced in Pittsburgh’s Strip District at the Fort Pitt Foundry.

Martin Delany, a Pittsburgh abolitionist who was one of the first African-Americans admitted to Harvard Medical School and later became the highest ranking African-American in the Civil War.

Tickets for the Pennsylvania’s Civil War exhibit are included with regular History Center admission: $15 for adults, $13 for seniors age 62 and older, $6 for students and children aged 6 to 17, and free for children age 5 and under..

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