Community Time Capsules

The Community Time Capsules were inspired by Andy Warhol’s own Time Capsules and celebrates Pittsburgh’s rich cultural heritage.

Project participants from the western Pennsylvania region and from around the world mined their homes, museums, churches, and communities, gathering personal and historical objects that provide us a window into local immigrant culture.

Read about how Community Time Capsules got started in “The Things they Carried”

Explore the Community Time Capsules by immigrant group:

African American

This collection is comprised of archives and museum artifacts from The African American Collection at the Senator John Heinz History Center.

Front view of a Spicer Youth Forum cardigan sweater. The sweater is cream and purple with pockets and a Spicer Youth Forum insignia on the right. — Spicer Youth Forum Sweater, Senator John Heinz History Center, Gift of Mamie H. W. Clemons

Carpatho-Rusyn American

These collections are comprised of objects and artifacts from the collection of The Greek Catholic Union, The Carpatho-Rusyn Society, and the family of John and Helen Timo.

Photo of hands making a loaf of paska, next to five more loaves of paska, in dough form, ready to be baked. — Mary Ellen Dudick making Paska based off her mother's recipe

German American

These collections are comprised of objects and artifacts from the family collection of Barbara Cano, Martina Wells, and Petra Zaidi.

Front view of a set of seven knives of different sizes with black handles. The knives are organized by size in descending order from longest to shortest. — Kitchen Knives. Collection of Martina Wells

Italian American

These collections are comprised of archives and museum artifacts from The Italian American Collection at the Senator John Heinz History Center as well as objects from the family of Alison Zapata and Mary Lois Verilla.

Front view of a banner featuring San Antonio and a young child. The banner is yellow with green, white, and gold accents. The banner also features the name of a church written in Italian. — San Antonio Banner, Senator John Heinz History Center, Gift of The Catholic Store, 99.95.1

Russian American

These collections are comprised of objects and artifacts from the family collection of Prima Reitynbarg, Irina Peris, and Ksenia Gushchina.

View of black and white photograph. A man in uniform, adorned with three medals, looks at the camera. — Evsey's Father. Collection of Prima Reitynbarg