Images(7)

Hat, Hard

Object number2026.37.2

Manufacturer Mine Safety Appliances Company

Date2026

OriginChina

MediumAcrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS); Plastic; Foam; Fabric; Nylon; Applied decoration; Paper; Ink; Adhesive

Credit LineHeinz History Center Collection

DescriptionWhite plastic hard hat or safety helmet made from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene. Ovular crown features molded ridges. Full brim is downturned and has textured bottom margin. Front, left, and right sides have Heinz History Center (HHC) printed information and front also has applied HHC cog sticker. Left and right sides have printed maker text above HHC information. Back proper left corner has maker name. Interior has black styrofoam-type material padding and black plastic suspension system with adjustable tension, black fabric padding, and black nylon chinstrap with black plastic buckle and fittings. Interior has maker sticker on proper left side and warning sticker on proper right side. Underside of front brim has raised maker text.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth: 14 x 10.75 x 12.75 in. (35.6 x 27.3 x 32.4 cm)
InscriptionsFront, left, and right sides of crown have applied black and red text "SENATOR JOHN HEINZ / HISTORY CENTER / IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION".
MarksLeft and right sides of crown have green, white, and black text above the Heinz History Center information "MSA / The Safety Company".

Back proper left corner of the crown has green rectangle with white text "MSA".

Underside of front brim has raised text "V-GARD H2 FB / 53-63 CM / MSA / 9 / ABS"; the "9" is inside a triangular recycling symbol.

Interior has maker sticker on proper left side with black printed text including "V-Gard H2 TM Full Brim / Safety Helmet (Non-vented) / Protective helmet with Glaregard underbrim. / ... / Head size range: 53 - 63 cm / Made in China 10250649-01" and warning sticker on proper right side has printed black text with orange band across the top.

Internal suspension system's adjustable tension knob has raised text "MSA".

Chinstrap buckle has raised text "Nx/A".
Historical NotesOn April 30, 2026, the Heinz History Center (HHC) officially broke ground on its most recent expansion project. The $80 million, 92,000-square-foot addition will add a new six-story wing along Penn Avenue, further enhancing the museum's presence in Pittsburgh's Strip District. This Mine Safety Appliances (MSA) V-Gard H2 hard hat was worn by HHC President & CEO Andrew Masich during the museum's expansion groundbreaking ceremony on April 30, 2026.

Related institution Senator John Heinz History Center

Related institution Smithsonian Institution

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