Heinz History Center: Destination Moon The Apollo 11 Mission

This post is brought to you by the Senator John Heinz History Center and The Motherhood. All opinions, thoughts and images remain my own.

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Last week I had the chance to take Sally and Olive to tour the new Destination Moon exhibit at Heinz History Center. Another nod to the amazing culture and atmosphere of Pittsburgh, Heinz History Center is one of only four museums to host this incredible traveling exhibit from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.

Destiantion Moon explores NASA’s historic Apollo 11 Mission that is responsible for Neil Armstrong being the first human being to walk on the Moon on July 20th, 1969. There were videos playing, newspaper articles on display, the American flag in all its glory. There was even a life size replica of the command module that you could climb into. This totally amazed Sally while equally freaking her out. The sounds and rumbling feelings are very realistic!

She jumped out of there so quick yelling “I don’t REALLY want to go to the moon!”

We got to slowly meander through this beautiful exhibit in complete awe of the artifacts and memorabilia from that epic time in American history. Buzz Aldrin’s actual helmet and gloves, Moon rocks, a space suit are where yoh could try to use grabbers to pick up pretend moon rocks. I had goosebumps the whole time! You seriously cannot help but be overcome with pride and emotion reading, hearing and seeing everything that is on display.

Watching Sally watch the video footage of the rocket launch was pretty amazing. She just kept saying Mom, Mom!!

It’s pretty incredible to think that the cutting edge Westinghouse prototype camera that beamed this iconic video footage back to thousands of TV sets here on earth was made right here in Pittsburgh!

If you are able to go see the Destination Moon exhibit in person, find these composition notebooks and spend a few minutes reading through the entries. You’ll have goosebumps as you learn little glimpses of peoples lives right in those very moments. It was so moving!

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Have you ever been to the Heinz History Center with your family? I think it’s a largely underrated kid friendly museums in Pittsburgh that is a must visit for anyone! The third floor is my girls favorite with the interactive play spaces, experiments and Daniel Tiger/Mr. Rogers items.