Kamin Science Center kicks off 35th Anniversary with an addition
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PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh’s most visited museum -- the Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center -- is marking its 35th anniversary with an addition to one of its most beloved experiences.
The Miniature Railroad and Village has reopened with an exact replica of the Andrew Bayne Memorial Library in Bellevue, Pa., continuing a tradition of celebrating the people, places and history that define Western Pennsylvania. The unveiling comes less than two months after the opening of Science of Speed, Powered by Lenovo, one of the largest milestones in the center’s ongoing transformation.
The three-story, Victorian mansion-turned library has served as a cornerstone of the Bellevue community since 1927. It is now the newest addition to the 83-by-30-foot miniature railroad exhibit, home to more than 60 meticulously crafted displays depicting life throughout Western Pennsylvania.
Created by the science center’s model-making team, the replica features hand-painted architectural details of the library, including the decorative pediments above each window, along with a recreation of the Lone Sentinel, the historic elm tree that once stood on the library’s grounds.
“At Kamin Science Center, every experience is designed to ignite curiosity and help people connect with the world around them,” said Jason Brown, Henry Buhl Jr. director of Kamin Science Center and vice president of Carnegie Museums. “Whether visitors are stepping into the fast lane in Science of Speed, exploring the night sky in Buhl Planetarium or discovering a treasured local landmark through the Miniature Railroad and Village, there’s always something new to learn, explore and enjoy.”
The Miniature Railroad and Village traces its origins to 1919, when Charles Bowdish began building intricate railroad scenes in his Brookville, Pa., home. In 1954, the exhibit moved to the Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science before expanding and reopening at the science center in 1992, where it remains a visitor favorite.
The Andrew Bayne Memorial Library is the fourth building added to the exhibit through public vote. In a July 2025 poll, the library received 89 percent of the nearly 48,000 votes that were cast. The model’s interior is fully furnished with miniature bookshelves, historic marbled fireplaces and other intricate details inspired by the real building.
As it celebrates 35 years since its opening in the fall of 1991, Kamin Science Center continues a transformation fueled by a historic $65 million gift from Dan and Carole Kamin and their family. During the next few years, more than 75 percent of the science center’s exhibition spaces will be reimagined, creating new opportunities for visitors to explore science through immersive, hands-on experiences.
The Miniature Railroad and Village is sponsored by Tender Care Learning Centers.