Author: Manasa Reddy

Chicago History Museum Exhibits

A visit to the Chicago History Museum is no passive museum experience. Here, you'll be able to go back in time to explore and experience Chicago through the ages in interactive exhibits, life-size models, and beautiful galleries. 

Chicago: Crossroads of America

Learn about the personal lives, business communities, and disasters that make Chicago a unique center point to American life through the many galleries in the "Crossroads of America" exhibit. From the mini jazz club to a 19th-century Marshall Field's window display, you can go back in time to see it all here.

See "El" Car No. 1, Chicago 's first elevated train, which carried visitors from the Loop to Hyde Park (on the near South Side) during the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893. Climb atop a replica "El" station and transport yourself back in time as three sculpted figures tell their stories as they wait to board the train.

City on the Make

Constructed from actual remnants of Fort Dearborn, the “City on the Make” section of the gallery explores Chicago's days as a trading post. Some notable artifacts in other areas include the Pioneer, the first steam railroad locomotive to work in Chicago.

City in Crisis

This exhibit investigates how Chicago responded—and recovered—from tragedy. From the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 to the Eastland Disaster (an excursion steamer loaded to capacity that rolled over at its dock on the Chicago River killing thousands) the artifacts here take you through Chicago 's darker past.

My Kind of Town

Chicago's role in culture and entertainment is revealed in the "My Kind of Town" gallery. Installations include an actual jazz club, artifacts from the two world's fairs (1893 & 1933), and Chicago's love affair with sports teams. The first exhibit, of course, is dedicated to the 2005 World Champions, the Chicago White Sox.

Sweet Home Chicago

A "Sweet Home Chicago" gallery explores the history of the city's myriad neighborhoods and suburbs. One section, the community gallery, is composed of changing exhibits of artifacts, interviews, and photos honing in on specific neighborhoods starting with the Mexican-American community of Chicago's Southeast Side.

Sensing Chicago

In this new children's gallery, kids can explore Chicago 's history by using their five senses. Between tasting a hot dog and catching a fly ball at the old Comiskey Park (now U.S. Cellular Field) to smelling an onion ("Chicago" is a Native American word for "stinky onion"), kids may even lose sight of the fact that they are, indeed, learning. (We won't tell them if you don't.)

Treasures

From bustling street scenes with neon signs and low rider to Abraham Lincoln artifacts complete with his deathbed, experience Chicago 's history in an interactive way through these building-wide installations.

The Dioramas 

The Chicago History Museum 's beloved dioramas are back on display and better than ever. Now more interactive, these gems take you through Chicago's rise from a frontier outpost to the bustling metropolis that played host to two world's fairs.

Visiting the Chicago History Museum

Admission

Entrance is $14 for adults, $12 for seniors, $12 for students (13-22) with ID, and free for children and members of the Chicago History Museum, the DuSable Museum, or the National Museum of Mexican Art. The fee includes an audio tour of the exhibit "Chicago: Crossroads of America," as well as "In Our Own Words," a tour of the Crossroads exhibit created by Chicago students. Admission is free for all on Mondays.

Hours

The Museum is open 9:30 am - 4:30 pm Mon.-Sat. and 12 noon - 5 pm Sun.

Directions 

For information on how to get to the Chicago History Museum, click here. A handy tip: the museum is a stop on the Brown line trolley, though this trolley only works on weekends and holidays. The museum is the stop just after the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Extras

The Museum Store stocks a plethora of things, from books on Chicago to stationery, and jewelry to Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired home decor.

You can also enjoy breakfast or lunch at the North & Clark Cafe, specializing in Chicago style food, from the North Side to the South Side, from classic Chicago dogs to 1893 World's Fair style brownies. You can also enjoy Julius Meinl coffee and free wi-fi in the comfy arm chairs or sunny dining room.