Center for PostNatural History

The Center for PostNatural History is located in Pittsburgh’s Garfield neighborhood on Penn Avenue.

The Center for Postnatural History may be one of the most unique places to visit in all of Pittsburgh. When you first walk into the room you are met by a wide array of strange objects that initially confound? There are three-dimensional photos of things from the back room that you have yet to see. Overall, the first steps that you take into the building are very surreal. When you go further into the back room you are greeted with  darkness. Through small exhibits the ideas that the center has been trying to express whole time comes into view.

The Center for PostNatural History provides an opportunity for visitors to connect with the world in a way that can’t be done anywhere else. It is a place where people can see how humans have shaped their environment, and how it has shaped them. Some exhibits show groundbreaking biological advancements, such as the Triploid Atlantic Salmon, a fish given a third chromosome. Other exhibits are simpler, such as the birdsong record display. Regardless, The Center teaches visitors about PostNatural history – a field of studies not commonly talked about.

People are usually surprised to learn how much of an influence PostNatural history has already had in their lives. “PostNatural” is a term that initially sounds quite futuristic. In reality, it’s something that’s actually been a part of our everyday life for a while – even down to the GMO’s we consume in our food. The Center plays an important role in making relevant information accessible to the public.  People visiting The Center can grow in their knowledge about all things PostNatural, and feel confident forming their own thoughts and opinions on the matter. This encourages people to become active in the discussion about how humans impact the environment. The dialogue created by PostNatural studies allows people to gain more insight into the relationship between humans and the environment.

Additional information: The Biosteel™Goat is perhaps the most shocking display that has been held at The Center for PostNatural History. Unlike normal goats, the Biosteel™Goat was genetically modified to produce spider silk. It all began when scientists were faced with a problem: Golden Orb Weaver Spider’s produces the strongest silk known to man - but they don’t produce enough. Spider silk is a material in demand for its incredible strength and flexibility. This led genetic engineers to transfer Orb Weaver Spider silk protein genes into goats. As a result, these goats were able to produce milk containing spider’s silk, and in larger quantities.