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Chicago History Museum
The Chicago History Museum is a revelation into this city’s past, present and future. If you really want to everything there is to Chicago, your first stop should be at this museum. Founded in 1856, the museum is the city’s oldest cultural institution. The museum educates, entertains, engages and enthralls with its huge collection of artifacts and documents and various exhibitions and events.
The Collection at the Museum
The Museum boasts an impressive collection of over 22 million artifacts and documents that trace the city’s rich historic and cultural legacy. The museum showcases authentic information about Chicago and U.S. history. Depending on your interests and preferences you can choose to browse the collections on architecture, archives and manuscripts, costumes, books and published materials, decorative and industrial art, oral history, film and video, prints and photographs and paintings and sculptures.
Self-Guided Exhibition Tours
One of the permanent exhibitions at the Chicago History Museum is ‘Chicago: Crossroads of America’, which occupies practically the second floor of the museum. The exhibit acquaints you with the city’s most significant triumphs and trials through a number of galleries that feature photos, artifacts, published materials, multimedia presentations and interactive features etc.
‘City On The Make’ allow you to explore the evolution of Chicago’s economy from the fur trading days to the growing importance of the Union Stock Yards. A must see is the Pioneer Locomotive Engine and the ‘L’ Car No.1, which is the last remaining rail cars.
‘City In Crisis’ gives you a chance to learn about the city’s six dramatic crisis starting from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 to the Democratic National Convention of 1968. You can travel through the passage of time to experience the
‘Sweet Home Chicago’ is getting to know about the community life in the city with a special video presentation where residents share their story of what it’s like to live in Chicago.
‘My Kind of Town’ urge you to explore the city’s cultural scene through a series of world fairs, music and theatre exhibits. The Chicago Jazz and Blues Club bring the music history to life by featuring sounds, instruments and images.
Besides, the collections and the permanent exhibition, the museum also has special museum tour packages for the complete family. Make it a fun filled experience for your kids by taking them to the exhibition ‘Sensing Chicago’. Here they will get to learn about the city by exploring the sights, sounds and smells of the city. They can choose to ride on a high-wheel bicycle through a wood-paved street; get to hear the Great Chicago Fire; try and know more about the city’s history through the Smell Map or enjoy the opportunity to create an oversized postcard.
There’s even a museum store, where you can choose to buy posters, collection photographs, jewelry, decorative pieces or even apparel and accessories to either gift or take back home as a souvenir. Chicago History Museum truly offers something for everyone and it offers an opportunity to learn as much as possible about this magnificent metropolis.
Discount or Coupon Detail
FREE Access With Go Chicago Card
Cost without the go Chicago card:
- Adult $14.00, Child $0.00
Operation Hours:
- Monday-Wednesday, 9:30 am-4:30 pm;
- Thursday, 9:30 am-8:00 pm;
- Friday and Saturday, 9:30 am-4:30 pm;
- Sunday, 12:00 pm-5:00 pm.
- Closed on thanksgiving, christmas day and New Year’s Day.
Chicago History Museum
1601 North Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60614
Phone: 312-642-4600
www.chicagohistory.org
