Food (and Heritage) at Heinz History Center

Two early-October events celebrate western Pennsylvania’s roots, culinary and otherwise.

Photo Courtesy Heinz History Center

The Sen. John Heinz History Center kicks off October with a pair of major events — and each should be tasty.

To ring in the start of National Heritage Month, the History Center’s Italian American Program will on Oct. 1 present its fourth annual Italian Heritage Day. In honor of Italian-American heritage, the event will include Italian-American cooking, lessons in Italian culture and an Italian American Bazaar featuring live entertainment, food and more from local Italian heritage groups. Dedicated to educational, family-oriented activities, Italian Heritage Day is free to children ages 17 and under.

Six days later, the History Center will celebrate the region’s passion for food at the sixth annual Hometown-Homegrown.

“Hometown-Homegrown stands out because of the vendors we have,” says Brady Smith, director of marketing and communications for the History Center. “We feature vendors that have been in the city for many decades, such as Wholey’s — [which] just recently celebrated its 105th anniversary — as well as up-and-coming businesses.” Hometown-Homegrown, which has grown steadily throughout its six-year run, is a partnership between the History Center and GoodTaste! Pittsburgh; this year’s edition is set to feature more than 40 local vendors. The event features live entertainment, a cookbook exchange, spirits sampling and more, as well as cooking demonstrations from local culinary experts. Activities and food samples are free for History Center members and included in admission for non-members.

The Heinz History Center, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute, is the largest history center in Pennsylvania. Dedicated to the education of history and heritage, the center presents American history with a western Pennsylvania focus.