The Heinz History Center explores Western Pennsylvania's impact on the home, industrial and battle fronts during World War II, including innovations such as the Jeep from Butler, all as part of the exhibition, “We Can Do It! WW II.”

PITTSBURGH — The Sen. John Heinz History Center examines how Pittsburgh affected World War II — and how the war affected our region — as part of the exhibition, “We Can Do It! WWII,” which opened recently.

Visitors will learn about the development of the Jeep, a uniquely American invention produced by the American Bantam Car Co. in Butler. Guests can get the stories behind “Rosie the Riveter” and the local Tuskegee Airmen.

Featuring more than 275 rare artifacts, four Jeeps, photography, interactive displays, and immersive museum settings, “We Can Do It!” brings the 1940s to life. Highlights include:

Several artifacts and images on loan from the Smithsonian, including “Gramps,” a 1940 prototype Bantam Reconnaissance Car, that is the oldest known Jeep in existence, and a Curtiss-Wright airplane propeller.

A “Hall of Industry” display featuring artifacts produced for the Allied forces by a variety of Western Pennsylvania companies, including MSA, Westinghouse, U.S. Steel, American Bridge Company, Dravo, Alcoa, Heinz, and Zippo, among others.

Four new lifelike museum figures of area heroes, including Gen. George C. Marshall, Tuskegee Airman Lt. Carl J. Woods, Iwo Jima legend Sgt. Michael Strank, and the Westinghouse Company-inspired Rosie the Riveter who help to personalize the stories of WWII.

An Army Air Corps jacket worn by Jimmy Stewart, the legendary actor and Indiana, Pa. native who became the first Hollywood star to enlist.

Immersive museum settings including a recreated living room from the outset of the war when Pittsburgh families gathered to hear President Franklin D. Roosevelt's “fireside chats;” andA Veterans Voices room featuring recordings from Western Pennsylvania WWII veterans and 7,000 recreated dog tags suspended from the ceiling.Admission is $15 for adults, $13 for senior citizens, $6 for children ages 6 to 17, and free for children 5 and younger and history center members. The exhibit closes Jan. 3, 2016.The center and Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at 1212 Smallman St. in the Strip District are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

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