Draft History HQ - Heinz History Center
Source: https://www.heinzhistorycenter.org/whats-on/sports-museum/draft-history-hq
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:09
Draft History HQ - Heinz History Center
Draft History HQ
The story of professional football starts in Pittsburgh — and there’s no better place to experience it than the Heinz History Center, America’s #1 History Museum.
From the Franco Harris Sports Museum to special pop-up exhibits with the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Steelers, discover how Pittsburgh forged a football legacy defined by legendary players, unforgettable moments, and six Super Bowl championships.
buy tickets
History is Drafted Here.
Franco Harris Sports Museum
The Franco Harris Sports Museum is your must-see Draft Week destination. Step inside the “home of the Immaculate Reception” and relive the moment with a lifelike figure of Franco making the catch, along with his cleats from the play, the Three Rivers Stadium turf where it happened, and rare artifacts from the 1970s Steelers.
Catch More
Pro Football Hall of Fame: Pop-Up Exhibit
Is it something in the water?
Western Pennsylvania has produced nearly 50 professional quarterbacks – more than any region in the country – including six Hall of Famers.
In partnership with the Pro Football Hall of Fame, see game-worn jerseys and objects from George Blanda, Joe Namath, Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, Jim Kelly, and Dan Marino as part of this special pop-up exhibit in the museum’s first floor Great Hall.
On view from April 17-27, the exhibit will also feature 27 original NFL Draft cards from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round picks from 1997-2005, on loan from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Draft Week Fan Zone
Huddle up at the History Center’s Draft Week Fan Zone and join us for tailgate-style challenges, game day eats, sports-themed scavenger hunts, and special guided tours throughout the day from April 23-25.
Learn More
Super Steelers
Discover the history behind the Steelers dynasty with championship rings from Super Bowls IX, X, XIII, and XIV and artifacts from our namesake Franco Harris, including his 1976 Man of the Year Award (now named for Walter Payton) and “Franco’s Italian Army” helmet.
Learn More
2026 NFL Draft Exhibit
Developed by the Pittsburgh Steelers, the 2026 NFL Draft Exhibit pulls back the curtain on hosting one of the biggest productions in sports — the NFL Draft.
Learn More
Make Your Pick at the Museum Shop
On the clock for the perfect Pittsburgh souvenir? Score official 2026 NFL Draft merchandise alongside items from hometown favorites like Mister Rogers and Heinz at the best gift shop in the ‘Burgh.
Shop Now
VisitPITTSBURGH Welcome Center
Located in the History Center’s first floor Great Hall, get oriented and excited about everything the city has to offer — all inside the #1 History Museum in America.
Learn More
Western PA Football Project
Explore how the region became a hot bed for high school and college football, producing nearly 50 professional QB’s, along with four Heisman Trophy winners and dozens of All-Americans.
Forging a Football Legacy
View All Posts
Franco Harris and the 1972 Draft
Pittsburgh’s First NFL Draft
Where Pro Football Began: The $500 Game on Pittsburgh’s North Side
The Irish Connection
Immaculate History
Cradle of Quarterbacks
The Wearing of the Black and Gold
“It’ll Take an Army” Franco’s Italian Army Fifty Years Later
A Pivotal Moment – December 23, 1972: The Immaculate Reception
Documenting a Historic Rivalry: Pittsburgh Steelers & Cleveland Browns
View All Posts
Bring the whole team. Kids are free.
Franco Harris Sports Museum
Sports fans 17 and under always score free admission, courtesy of the Kamin “Free for Kids” Initiative.
Reserve Tickets
Draft Week activities are supported by
VisitPA
and the
Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD)
.
Site Menu
Draft History HQ
The story of professional football starts in Pittsburgh — and there’s no better place to experience it than the Heinz History Center, America’s #1 History Museum.
From the Franco Harris Sports Museum to special pop-up exhibits with the Pro Football Hall of Fame and Steelers, discover how Pittsburgh forged a football legacy defined by legendary players, unforgettable moments, and six Super Bowl championships.
buy tickets
History is Drafted Here.
Franco Harris Sports Museum
The Franco Harris Sports Museum is your must-see Draft Week destination. Step inside the “home of the Immaculate Reception” and relive the moment with a lifelike figure of Franco making the catch, along with his cleats from the play, the Three Rivers Stadium turf where it happened, and rare artifacts from the 1970s Steelers.
Catch More
Pro Football Hall of Fame: Pop-Up Exhibit
Is it something in the water?
Western Pennsylvania has produced nearly 50 professional quarterbacks – more than any region in the country – including six Hall of Famers.
In partnership with the Pro Football Hall of Fame, see game-worn jerseys and objects from George Blanda, Joe Namath, Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana, Jim Kelly, and Dan Marino as part of this special pop-up exhibit in the museum’s first floor Great Hall.
On view from April 17-27, the exhibit will also feature 27 original NFL Draft cards from the Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-round picks from 1997-2005, on loan from the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Draft Week Fan Zone
Huddle up at the History Center’s Draft Week Fan Zone and join us for tailgate-style challenges, game day eats, sports-themed scavenger hunts, and special guided tours throughout the day from April 23-25.
Learn More
Super Steelers
Discover the history behind the Steelers dynasty with championship rings from Super Bowls IX, X, XIII, and XIV and artifacts from our namesake Franco Harris, including his 1976 Man of the Year Award (now named for Walter Payton) and “Franco’s Italian Army” helmet.
Learn More
2026 NFL Draft Exhibit
Developed by the Pittsburgh Steelers, the 2026 NFL Draft Exhibit pulls back the curtain on hosting one of the biggest productions in sports — the NFL Draft.
Learn More
Make Your Pick at the Museum Shop
On the clock for the perfect Pittsburgh souvenir? Score official 2026 NFL Draft merchandise alongside items from hometown favorites like Mister Rogers and Heinz at the best gift shop in the ‘Burgh.
Shop Now
VisitPITTSBURGH Welcome Center
Located in the History Center’s first floor Great Hall, get oriented and excited about everything the city has to offer — all inside the #1 History Museum in America.
Learn More
Western PA Football Project
Explore how the region became a hot bed for high school and college football, producing nearly 50 professional QB’s, along with four Heisman Trophy winners and dozens of All-Americans.
Forging a Football Legacy
View All Posts
Franco Harris and the 1972 Draft
Pittsburgh’s First NFL Draft
Where Pro Football Began: The $500 Game on Pittsburgh’s North Side
The Irish Connection
Immaculate History
Cradle of Quarterbacks
The Wearing of the Black and Gold
“It’ll Take an Army” Franco’s Italian Army Fifty Years Later
A Pivotal Moment – December 23, 1972: The Immaculate Reception
Documenting a Historic Rivalry: Pittsburgh Steelers & Cleveland Browns
View All Posts
Bring the whole team. Kids are free.
Franco Harris Sports Museum
Sports fans 17 and under always score free admission, courtesy of the Kamin “Free for Kids” Initiative.
Reserve Tickets
Draft Week activities are supported by
VisitPA
and the
Allegheny Regional Asset District (RAD)
.
Site Menu