Chicago History Museum In Brief:
Address:
Phone:
Getting There by Public Transportation:
Driving to the Museum From Downtown:
Parking at the Chicago History Museum:
Museum Hours:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Thursday 9:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.; Sunday 12 noon - 5:00 p.m.; Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day
Research Center hours: Tuesday - Thursday, 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
(as of 06/2011, subject to change)
Museum Admission Prices:
(as of 06/2011, subject to change)
The museum offers free admission to Illinois residents on various dates throughout the year.
About the Chicago History Museum:
Originally the Chicago Historical Society until renamed the Chicago History Museum in February 2006, the museum was founded in 1856 by Chicago's leading entrepreneurs. After losing its collection and facility to fire twice -- once in the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, and another 3 years later, it rebuilt its collection and in 1932 moved into its current location, a red brick Georgian-style facility in Lincoln Park. The Chicago History Museum now houses a collection of over 22 million artifacts, grouped into eight main collection holdings: architecture, manuscripts, books, costumes, decorative and industrial arts, oral history, film, and video, paintings and sculpture, and prints and photographs.
Starting in 2005, the Museum underwent a major renovation which it unveiled to the public September 30, 2006. The renovation included an updated lobby with new artifacts and installations, new galleries, a new Museum store, and a restaurant operated by famous chef Wofgang Puck, The History Café.
The Chicago History Museum has something for all ages -- their new children's gallery, Sensing Chicago, is a unique experience that teaches kids about Chicago history by using their five senses. They can do things like hear the Great Chicago Fire, catch a fly ball at old Comisky Park, or become a Chicago hot dog.
To get a true appreciation of Chicago, its glorious past, and its impression on the American landscape and culture, a visit to the Chicago History Museum is definitely in order.
A Chicago History Museum walking tour is included with the purchase of a Go Chicago Card. (Buy Direct)
