This holiday season, the Senator John Heinz History Center, the Smithsonian’s home in Pittsburgh, invites visitors to make memories with new exhibitions, photos with Santa, festive holiday shopping and more. All children 17 years old and under receive free admission to the History Center and Fort Pitt Museum through the Kamin “Free for Kids” Initiative.

Visitors can avoid long lines at the mall and take photos with Santa Claus on select dates at the History Center. St. Nick will appear in the Great Hall from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 28 to 30, Dec. 5 to 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20 to 21. Santa visits are included with regular admission, and there is no charge to take photos.

The History Center museum is a one-stop shop for uniquely Pittsburgh gifts, from Rosie the Riveter ornaments and Heinz pickle pajamas to Mister Rogers candles and more.

Shoppers can visit shop.heinzhistorycenter.org or the Museum Shop at 1212 Smallman St. in Pittsburgh daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. No museum admission is required to visit the museum shop.

Purchases directly support the museum’s exhibitions and educational programs.

The History Center’s Pittsburgh’s Hidden History exhibition, now on view through April 4, features a “yinzsplosion” of rarely and never-before-seen objects that tell stories from Pittsburgh’s past.

From scary to stunning, tiny treasures to magnificent marvels, the everyday and the extraordinary, Hidden History takes visitors on a thematic journey through artifacts, photographs and documents that connect with the region’s history.

Visitors can explore objects from iconic Pittsburgh institutions like The Original Hot Dog Shop, Primanti Bros., Kaufmann’s and Kennywood; or examine treasures like an 18th century key to Fort Duquesne and a 1910 Honus Wagner trading card.