Wedding Band at the Heinz History Center
A wedding among a Conestoga wagon, an old trolley and the story of Western Pennsylvania. We have performed at the Heinz History Center.
Inquire About Your DateAbout the Heinz History Center
The Senator John Heinz History Center calls itself Pennsylvania's largest history museum and the region's oldest cultural institution, and it is a Smithsonian affiliate. It stands at 1212 Smallman Street, where the Strip District meets downtown, and it rents its rooms for everything from black-tie galas to pop-up weddings.
The first-floor Great Hall was once part of the Chautauqua Lake Ice House, and it still shows vaulted brick ceilings, original steel beams and a two-story staircase. Old vehicles line the room: a Conestoga wagon, an antique fire engine, a stainless steel Ford, the Heinz Hitch and a trolley. It takes ceremonies of up to 325 and receptions of up to 200 with a dance floor.
Upstairs, the fifth-floor Mueller Center is a contemporary ballroom with a wall of windows and a 15 by 135 foot outdoor deck looking toward the river, and it holds up to 325 with dancing. After sunset, its built-in track lights give the room a starry look. The sixth-floor Detre Library & Archives Reading Room, with wooden beams, brick columns and a glass wall facing downtown, hosts ceremonies of 10 to 250.
- Address
- 1212 Smallman Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
- Venue website
- heinzhistorycenter.org
The spaces at the Heinz History Center
Great Hall
Inside the old ice house, for ceremonies up to 325, cocktails up to 350 and receptions up to 200 with dancing.
Mueller Center
A fifth-floor ballroom and deck for up to 325 with a dance floor, and the one wedding space offered in the daytime.
Campbell Gallery
Fourth floor by the Klein's Restaurant neon sign, for cocktails up to 220 or a reception of up to 60.
Detre Library & Archives Reading Room
Sixth floor, for ceremonies of 10 to 250 under wooden beams.
Planning your night at the Heinz History Center
Starting after museum hours
Every wedding space except the Mueller Center is available only after 5:30 p.m., once the museum's regular day is done. We confirm with your History Center coordinator when our setup can begin, because that start time shapes the whole evening.
Moving between floors
A wedding here can travel, with vows in the Reading Room or the Great Hall and dinner in the Mueller Center. When the rooms differ, a ceremony musician plays the first one while the band sets up and sound-checks in the second before your guests arrive.
Dancing beside the exhibits
The Great Hall's brick vaults and steel beams reflect sound, and the vehicles on display are part of the room. We map the stage and speakers around them with your coordinator, so the dancers and the exhibits each keep their space.
Vendors and paperwork
Common Plea Catering handles all food and drink and Mosaic supplies the linens; for the rest, music included, you choose your own vendors. The History Center wants your proof of event insurance three months out, and our own certificate of insurance goes to them in the form they request.
The band at the Heinz History Center
Scaled to the room, from the duo to a full eleven-piece band.
Your Playlist
The full live band, seven to eleven pieces: lead female and male vocals, keys, guitar, bass, drums and saxophone, with horns, electric violin or a second vocalist to add.
Eddie & Gabby
The two founders, with every decade from the fifties to now. Made for cocktail hours, ceremonies and smaller rooms.
DJ Hybrid
A DJ anchors the night while live musicians move through the crowd on saxophone, electric violin, guitar or vocals.
"This band was AMAZING. Hands down the highlight of our reception, with everyone on the dance floor all night. They delivered everything we asked for and more. They read the room perfectly, kept the party going, and created an atmosphere our guests are still raving about. Professional, dynamic, and incredibly talented."
Jennifer B. · Pittsburgh
Questions about the Heinz History Center
Have you performed at the Heinz History Center?
Yes. The Heinz History Center is one of the Pittsburgh venues where we have played.
Can our guests see the museum on the wedding day?
The History Center's wedding packages give your guests access to tour the museum during operating hours on your wedding day, and the exhibits are open to you for photos. Ask your coordinator how a tour fits the timeline, and we will plan the music around it.
Do you play brunch weddings?
Yes. The History Center offers Sunday brunch weddings in the Mueller Center all year, and a daytime party is a natural fit for the Eddie & Gabby duo or a smaller band.
How many guests can the History Center host for a wedding?
Up to 325, depending on which rooms you choose. For far larger events, the History Center also rents the entire building, every floor and exhibit included, for 600 to 3,000 guests.
Let's fill the floor at the Heinz History Center
Tell us your date and we will take it from there.
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