On September 6, the Senator John Heinz History Center, located on the edge of Pittsburgh’s Strip District, opened its newest long-term exhibit showcasing the legacy of Henry John Heinz and the Heinz Company.

Throughout the new display, history center visitors will discover how Heinz started his own business from growing and selling produce from his mother’s garden to a globally recognized company.

On hand to talk about the new exhibit on preview day was Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and Heinz CEO Bernardo Hess.

Preview day started with a brief speech and introduction by Heinz History Center President Andy Masich.

“Heinz changed the way we eat food,” said Masich.

He went on to explain how the Heinz Company became the company it is today as well as its historic significance to the city of Pittsburgh.

When talking about the new exhibit, Mayor Bill Peduto stated, “Heinz is synonymous with Pittsburgh.”

Once Heinz CEO Bernardo Hess started speaking, everyone in attendance on preview day knew Heinz would remain an important part of Pittsburgh.

“The foundations of H.J. Heinz are still practiced today. This new exhibition is a gift to the city,” said Hess.

Hess explained that his minor in college was history and upon becoming CEO of the H.J. Heinz Company, he visited the Heinz History Center immediately.

Hess realized the former Heinz exhibit could be improved and suggested to Masich, that the two work together on updating and enlarging the current exhibit.

The new Heinz Exhibit offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn more in depth about the company’s unique history and ties to western Pennsylvania.

Highlights of the new Heinz exhibit include:

• A life-sized statue of Henry John Heinz, founder of the H.J. Heinz Company,

• A larger-than-life, 11-foot ketchup bottle comprised of more than 400 individual bottles alongside a display of more than 100 historic bottles that shows the evolution of Heinz products and packaging;

• Innovative displays on the history of Heinz, including videos chronicling the genealogy of the family and an interactive table focusing on Heinz’s international popularity;

• Video loops of vintage Heinz TV ads from around the world;

• Never before seen artifacts from the History Center’s collection, the largest of its kind in the world, including H.J. Heinz’s desk set and H.J’s hand-written ledger, recipe book from 1869, rare memorabilia, and hundreds of Heinz bottles.

This new Heinz exhibit highlights the storied legacy and history of a company that has become a recognizable name all over the world. Heinz is committed to its Pittsburgh roots and looks forward to share its story inconjunction with the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Be sure to visit the History Center and check out this new exhibit that highlights the legacy of the H.J. Heinz Company.

For additional informational about the Heinz exhibit or Heinz History Center, please visit www.heinzhistorycenter.org