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Heinz History Center To Reopen To The Public On July 1

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Pittsburgh's big tourist attractions, like the museums and Science Center, have been closed since mid-March, but now that we're in the "green" phase, they are starting to announce when they'll reopen.

People go to the Heinz History Center to learn about history, but CEO Andy Masich knows that at this moment, we are all living through a significant time in history.

"Right now our curators are collecting COVID-19 materials and materials in the wake of the George Floyd tragedy and how our nation and our community is responding to that," Masich says.

The Senator John Heinz History Center is set to reopen to the public Wednesday, July 1.

This includes the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum, Fort Pitt Museum, and Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village.

The History Center and its museums have been closed since March 14 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Visitors and employees will be required to wear masks, there's a stringent cleaning regimen, you can buy optional timed tickets and the museum will operate at 50 percent capacity for all exhibits, including the new "Smithsonian's Portraits of Pittsburgh" exhibit featuring many famous and forgotten Pittsburghers.

"Once we reach a certain level of 50 percent within that gallery -- it's a 10,000 square-foot gallery -- then we'll divert people to other parts of the museum," Masich says.

With 350,000 square feet over six floors, Masich is confident they can spread out visitors.

But if you're more comfortable outside, Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village in Washington County, which is run by the history center, is also reopening.

"There are original buildings that have been moved together — a schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, pioneer cabins. There's also a prehistoric Indian village that you can visit. And there's a 19,000-year-old rock shelter," Masich says.

Thirty regional museums and art organizations are working together to collaborate on best practices so they can all open up safely. The Frick Pittsburgh is opening its grounds on July 7 but the museums won't reopen until mid-August. Others are still figuring out when they can reopen.

Details on ticketing, entry along with new protocols and procedures will be announced online later this month.

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