Showcasing American history with a connection to Western Pennsylvania, the Senator John Heinz History Center is the first Smithsonian property to earn LEED certification. Before it became a museum, the structure served as The Consolidated Ice Company, an ice sales business. The Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania purchased the building in the mid-1990s and restored its original features to open the history center in 1996. The building restoration preserved existing materials, supporting values of both history and sustainability.  

More About This Building:  

• Specified building products include wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council and materials containing low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)  
• Solar panels on the roof provide renewable energy to the building  
• HVAC equipment is optimized for energy efficiency via an integrated direct digital control system  
• Fun Fact: The John Heinz History Center is the largest history museum in Pennsylvania