Carnegie Museum of Art history

Carnegie Museum of Natural History opened in 1896 and is ranked among the top five museums of its type in the United States and has an international reputation for excellence.

The museum first made history in 1899 when its scientists unearthed the fossils of a new dinosaur species.

The Music Hall opened to the public on May 10, 1901, just nine days after the opening of the Library.

Andrew Carnegie was accompanied by noted educator, astronomer, and optician John A. Brashear at the official dedication of the Free Library and Music Hall on April 22, 1902.

To make room for the display of his namesake, Diplodocus carnegii, Andrew Carnegie broke ground on Carnegie Museums’ first major expansion in 1904.

The Carnegie Institute (right), the Schenley Hotel and the Oakland section of Pittsburgh in 1907.

A 1910 view of Oakland with the Carnegie Institute and Schenley Park in the distance.

The museum's Powdermill Nature Reserve was established in 1956 to engage in the long-term studies of natural populations.

The museum’s fifth director, Leon Arkus, organized his first exhibition in 1970, which featured 267 objects by over 101 artists.

Designed by architect Edward Larrabee Barnes, it first opened in 1974 and more than doubled the museum's exhibition space, plus added a children's studio, theater, offices, café, and bookstore.

The original museum, music hall, and library were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

John R. Lane was appointed director in 1980.

Lane hired Gene Baro to organize the first International under his directorship in 1982.

In 1986, the expanding cultural powerhouse became known as “The Carnegie,” and to this day, many in the region still refer to Andrew Carnegie’s Pittsburgh museums as The Carnegie.

In 1991, Carnegie Science Center entered the Carnegie Museums fold through a partnership between Carnegie Museums and the Buhl Foundation.

The Heinz Architectural Center, opened as part of the museum in 1993, is dedicated to the collection, study, and exhibition of architectural drawings and models.

The Andy Warhol Museum opened on May 15, 1994.

Richard Armstrong was established as director of the museum in 1996.

By the time of its 10-year anniversary in 2001, the Science Center opened Highmark SportsWorks, the largest collection of sports and science exhibits in the world.

The New York Times art critic John Russell described the gallery as an "unflawed paradise." The gallery has been renovated several times since its original creation, most recently in 2004.

The final addition to the Carnegie Institute was completed in 2008, when E. Verner Johnson and Associates transformed a former lightwell into an exhibition space for Dinosaurs in Their Time, which showcases the Natural History Museum’s renowned collection of skeletons and fossils.

In 2009, the Ailsa Mellon Bruce Galleries of decorative arts and design reopened after a complete renovation.

In 2011, the newly renovated Charity Randall Gallery opened off of the Hall of Sculpture balcony; the space is dedicated to the display of modern and contemporary craft and design, growing areas of strength in the collection.

In 2014, The Andy Warhol Museum rehung its collection, telling the story of Andy Warhol’s life and artwork chronologically for the first time to spectacular effect.

And in 2018, Carnegie Science Center completed a major expansion: PPG Science Pavilion, which houses a suite of STEM Learning Labs; a Special Exhibitions Gallery for large-scale changing exhibitions; a laser digital giant-screen theater; and outdoor learning spaces on the riverfront.

The museum also is excited for the world premiere of Dinosaur Armor, on display now through 2021.