Museums & More
Heinz History Center, 1212 Smallman St., has extended through Sunday "Discover the Real George Washington: New Views from Mount Vernon," an exhibition from George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate & Gardens. The exhibition features nearly 100 objects, including full-scale figures of Washington, architectural models, decorative and fine art items, maps, manuscripts and paintings. Center hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for senior citizens age 62 and older, $5 for students with ID and for children ages 4 to 17, and free for children 3 and younger. Call 412-454-6000.
ToonSeum, Pittsburgh's Museum of Cartoon Art at 945 Liberty Ave., continues "The Dog Days of Summer: Cartoon Canines" through Sept. 19. The exhibit has more than 50 pieces of original comic strip, animation and cartoon art spanning 100 years of illustrated history. Snoopy, Scooby Doo, Huckleberry Hound, Pluto, Underdog, Ruff and Goofy are represented. The ToonSeum has added more than 700 pieces of cartoon art to its permanent collection thanks to a donation made by Stan and Cathie Burdick of the Ticonderoga Cartoon Museum in New York. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for children ages 5 to 17; children younger than 5 are admitted free. Visit www.toonseum.org.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Schenley Park hosts Summertime Gargoyle Nights from 5 to 9 p.m. Fridays through Sept. 12. The evenings feature docent-led gargoyle tours and barbecue bites. Admission is $20. Hard lemonade will be available. Tours start at 6 and 7:30 p.m. Fridays and are free with general admission; participation in Gargoyle Nights is not required. The summer flower show "Gargoyles in the Garden" runs through Sept. 12. Phipps is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and until 10 p.m. Fridays. Admission is $12 for adults, $11 for senior citizens age 62 and older and students with valid ID, $9 for children ages 2 to 18 and free for children younger than 2.
Children's Museum, 10 Children's Way, Allegheny Square, has opened "Curious George: Let's Get Curious!" which introduces young children to interactive math, science and engineering-based adventures while emphasizing the role parents and caregivers play. "Meet Curious George" is planned for 11:30 a.m. to noon Aug. 4 and 11, and 2 to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 7 and 14. Museum hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays; and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $11 for adults; $10 for senior citizens older than 65 and children ages 2 to 18, and free for children younger than 2. Parking is $5 for nonmembers. Call 412-322-5058 or visit www.pittsburghkids.org.
National Aviary, 700 Arch St., hosts outdoor free-flight bird shows at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays. The shows are included in the admission price, which is $12 for adults, $11 for senior citizens, $9.50 for children ages 2 to 12, and free for those younger than 2. Aviary hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission is $12 for adults; $11 for senior citizens; $9.50 for children ages 2 to 12; and free for children younger than 2. Call 412-323-7235 or visit www.aviary.org.
<B>Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village</B> in Ambridge will host a garden party from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 7. Hors d'oeuvres and wine will be served as visitors explore the paths, arbors and pavilion. The Old Economy Singers and Orchestra will perform. Reservations, at a $30 per person, are required by Tuesday. Call 724-266-4500, Ext. 101.
