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Chicago History Museum The Chicago History Museum is a place of learning, discovery, creativity, and, of course, history.
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Woulda, coulda, shoulda. When both the Chicago Cubs and White Sox reached the postseason in late September, hopeful fans...
10/14/2026

Woulda, coulda, shoulda.

When both the Chicago Cubs and White Sox reached the postseason in late September, hopeful fans dreamt of a Crosstown World Series. While those plans didn’t manifest this year, they did 120 years ago.

In 1906, the Cubs and Sox met in the first ever intracity World Series. The Cubs were coming off a remarkable regular season with a 116–36–3 record and were favored over the White Sox (93–58–3). The series began on October 9 with a Sox win. They would trade wins in games 2–5, but the South Siders prevailed in game 6, taking the series on October 14 with an 8–3 victory.

In our latest blog post, CHM curatorial interns Abigail McGraw-Traster and Olivia Marr give a brief overview of the series and highlight items in our collections. https://ow.ly/2r1w50ZXIYF

In recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the Chicago History Museum invites Illinois residents to take advantage of fr...
10/11/2026

In recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the Chicago History Museum invites Illinois residents to take advantage of free admission tomorrow and explore stories in key exhibitions that illuminate Indigenous history, activism, identity, and contemporary experiences.

In “Facing Freedom,” learn about the 1973 Wounded Knee Occupation, commonly known as Wounded Knee II, and the ongoing struggle for Indigenous rights and sovereignty. In “Aquí en Chicago,” explore Indigenous identities within Latino communities and the ways language, clothing, and cultural traditions shape communities in Chicago today.

Stories like these are an important part of our shared history—and keeping them accessible helps future generations learn from the past and understand the many lived experiences that have shaped Chicago and our country. The Chicago History Museum recognizes its ongoing responsibility to deepen its understanding and representation of these histories and more.

As we continue this work, we welcome community perspectives on the stories, voices, and histories that deserve greater representation. Visitors can share their thoughts and suggestions through the Museum’s feedback form, located in our “Chicago: Crossroads of America” exhibition or online at chicagohistory.org/contact/contact-us-form/.

Visit us on Indigenous Peoples’ Day to explore these stories, reflect on the histories they illuminate, and consider how a fuller understanding of Indigenous experiences can shape our understanding of Chicago.

Today we remember Mike Ditka, the iconic Chicago Bear, who passed away at age 86. A standout player at the University of...
10/09/2026

Today we remember Mike Ditka, the iconic Chicago Bear, who passed away at age 86. A standout player at the University of Pittsburgh, Ditka was drafted by the Bears in 1961 and earned AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors as a tight end. He was part of the 1963 NFL Championship team, but he left the Bears after the 1966 season. He returned in 1982, this time as head coach. Ditka reportedly promised a Super Bowl victory within three years if the players committed to his program. And "Iron Mike" delivered—the Bears won the championship on January 26, 1986. Ditka is the only person to be part of the Chicago Bears' last two (1963 and 1985) championships.

See more images of Coach Ditka in our collection: https://ow.ly/GIrE50ZWt2t

Chicago History Museum costume collections manager, Jessica Pushor, and costume mount maker, Michael Hall, spoke with WB...
10/09/2026

Chicago History Museum costume collections manager, Jessica Pushor, and costume mount maker, Michael Hall, spoke with WBEZ’s Courtney Kueppers about what it takes to put on a costume exhibition, what will be on display later this month, and some fun facts about the history of the pieces—including the cape reportedly worn by Mary Lincoln on the night of Lincoln’s assassination.

Read Courtney’s article and learn more about our upcoming “ : Preserving Presidential Clothing” exhibition here ⬇️
https://tinyurl.com/WBEZThreadsOfANation

Starting in the evening of October 8, 1871, Chicago's busy streets were taken over by flames until the morning of Octobe...
10/08/2026

Starting in the evening of October 8, 1871, Chicago's busy streets were taken over by flames until the morning of October 10, overwhelming a city built of wood and causing severe destruction. This month when you visit our Robert R. McCormick Theater, you can learn more about this catastrophic event in a screening of WTTW - Chicago PBS's Chicago Stories episode "The Great Chicago Fire." Plan your visit: https://ow.ly/XJ2i50ZW3Be

// "Memories of the Chicago Fire of 1871" by Julia Lemos, 1912. CHM, ICHi-062293

As part of our year-long : Civic Action in Chicago initiative, we’ve shared four contemporary artworks in our lobby, ea...
10/07/2026

As part of our year-long : Civic Action in Chicago initiative, we’ve shared four contemporary artworks in our lobby, each reflecting a document in our collection that is significant to US history.

For the next three months, visitors can see Dorian Sylvain's "We Weave Our Future," a mixed-media, immersive installation exploring the complex legacy of the Thirteenth Amendment through the lens of African American experiences. The piece was inspired by quilts made by enslaved people in the 18th and 19th centuries and codesigned with US History and Civics students at Art in Motion Creative Arts Middle and High School in Chicago’s South Shore community area and studio assistants Trinity Treadwell and Elizabeth Antwi.

Visitors are invited to contribute to the piece as they reflect on the promises of emancipation and the realities of continued systemic oppression. https://ow.ly/wT1J50ZVw5b

We had a lovely time taking members of the media behind the scenes to learn more about the intricacies of putting on a c...
10/01/2026

We had a lovely time taking members of the media behind the scenes to learn more about the intricacies of putting on a costume exhibition.

During a recent press visit, costume mount maker Michael Hall explained his process of reproducing a suit in our collection that was reportedly worn by George Washington.

If you’re a member of the media, reach out to us at [email protected] to get a sneak preview of “ : Preserving Presidential Clothing” before it opens to the public on October 24!

chicagohistory.org/threads

📷: CHM staff

What is conservation? Museum conservation is a professional practice devoted to preserving cultural heritage. Along with...
09/30/2026

What is conservation? Museum conservation is a professional practice devoted to preserving cultural heritage. Along with examining, documenting, and treating artifacts, conservators take steps to control environmental conditions and manage how objects are handled to prevent damage and slow deterioration.

Our next exhibition provides a glimpse into the ways conservators prepare and safeguard objects for display. More than a year ago, the conservation team began assessing objects, performing conservation treatments, and creating custom mounts. See the artifacts and learn about conservation practices when : Preserving Presidential Clothing opens on October 24! https://ow.ly/l7Sw50ZT8YF

Ever wonder what it would be like to perform at a museum? Now you can find out! Cohosted by CHM and School of Rock, Rock...
09/28/2026

Ever wonder what it would be like to perform at a museum?

Now you can find out! Cohosted by CHM and School of Rock, Rock the Museum is a music festival that brings talented young musicians to Chicago’s oldest cultural institution for a day of live music while raising funds for the Museum’s educational programs.

Applications are FREE AND NOW OPEN until Monday, October 12, for eligible artists ages 15–22. Get ready to rock on November 21! 🎸

Learn more and apply now ⬇️
tinyurl.com/Rock-the-Museum-2026

Address

1601 N Clark Street
Chicago, IL
60614

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Friday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Saturday 9:30am - 4:30pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

(312)6424600

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