PHOTO BY DEAN KAUFMAN | THE ANDY WARHOL MUSEUM, ALONG WITH THE HEINZ HISTORY CENTER AND CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF PITTSBURGH, WILL OFFER FREE ADMISSION FOR GUESTS IN AUGUST IN HONOR OF ALL THREE BEING RECOGNIZED AMONG THE NATION’S BEST BY USA TODAY READERS.

The City of Pittsburgh has an incredibly rich history and has been home to some iconic figures over the years.

It’s no surprise Pittsburgh is also home to some of the best museums in the country.

Three of these museums  — the Andy Warhol Museum on the North Shore, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh in the North Side and the Heinz History Center in the Strip District — were recently recognized among the finest in the country by USA TODAY’s Readers’ Choice Awards.

The Warhol was named fourth Best in Art Museums, the Heinz History Center as second in Best History Museums and the Children’s Museum as second in Best Children’s Museums.

In celebration of this recognition, the three museums have banded together to offer a “3 for Free” program in August where admission to each museum is free to visitors.

Anyone wishing to visit the museums in August should reserve tickets in advance. The Allegheny Regional Asset District has a page on its website for reserving spots at each museum.

According to information released Tuesday by RAD, “Pittsburgh was the only city to see three different museums honored in the top five, and all are supported by annual operating grants from RAD.”

​​“We are extremely fortunate to have such great cultural institutions in this city, county and region, and thanks to the USA TODAY Readers’ Choice Awards, we know that many outside of this area agree,” said County Executive Rich Fitzgerald in the press release. “Just as important as the national honors, are the support that we receive from those who call this community home.”

This new offer is in addition to the annual free-admission RAD Days, which will begin in September at more assets throughout Allegheny County.

August is an important month for The Andy Warhol Museum, as it recognizes the iconic artist’s Aug. 6 birthday. With more than 10,000 works in its collection, The Warhol is the largest single-artist museum in North America.

“We can’t think of a better way to celebrate this national recognition — and Andy Warhol’s birthday — than to welcome even more visitors to The Andy Warhol Museum during the month of August,” said Steven Knapp, president and CEO of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, in the release. 

Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh is in the middle of its own birthday celebration — celebrating 40 years of sharing joy, creativity, curiosity and kindness with all learners at its home on the North Side. The free offering also serves as an opportunity to explore MuseumLab, where kids ages 10 and older can have cutting-edge experiences in art, technology and making.

PHOTO COURTESY: HEINZ HISTORY CENTER

The Heinz History Center has partnered with the Smithsonian to offer The Negro Motorist Green Book exhibition through Aug. 13, providing visitors an immersive look at how African Americans traveled in mid-century America, including a unique look at Pittsburgh businesses listed in the Green Book.

All three museums also share a connection as examples of adaptive re-use, using historical buildings from the Allegheny Post Office and Buhl Planetarium (Children’s Museum), the original Carnegie Free Library of Allegheny (MuseumLab), the Chautauqua Lake Ice Co. building (Heinz History Center) and the Frick & Lindsay Building (The Warhol).