Welcome to the Hall of Architecture, where history comes to life.

Since 1907, our collection of more than 140 plaster casts of significant architectural structures has been a treasure in Pittsburgh. Our Hall of Architecture was inspired by the Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and it has remained intact through decades of public exhibition. Visiting the Hall of Architecture offers the rare opportunity to appreciate multiple cultural phenomena of international scopes. Behold sculptural and architectural wonders from the ancient cultures of the Near East, Egypt, Greece, and Rome, as well as masterpieces from the European Renaissance.

Why plaster casts?
In the past, collectors believed that a replica of a masterpiece was superior to a mediocre original. This fascination with casts dates back to ancient Greece and Rome and continued through the Renaissance into the 19th century. Plaster casts were particularly popular during the 19th century as they were featured in international fairs and served as educational tools for both amateurs and art students.

Our collection was made possible by the vision of Andrew Carnegie, who by 1907 had amassed a collection of 144 architectural casts, 69 plaster reproductions of sculpture, and 360 replicas in bronze. Notable objects included beloved favorites from classical antiquity, such as parts of the Parthenon and the Venus de Milo, as well as Gothic masterpieces like the Florence Baptistry doors, windows of Notre Dame, and even a full reproduction of the facade of St.-Gilles-du-Gard.

Nowadays, plaster casts are not as popular as they once were, and most collections have been dispersed or destroyed. As a result, our plaster cast collection in the largest in North America. We invite you to come experience this distinguished part of our collection for yourself, and step back in time to encounter the beauty of these architectural masterpieces!