Chicago History Museum

Chicago History Museum The Chicago History Museum is a place of learning, discovery, creativity, and, of course, history.
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We recently learned that Tania Córdova, a community activist whose story is featured in our Aquí en Chicago exhibition, ...
05/29/2026

We recently learned that Tania Córdova, a community activist whose story is featured in our Aquí en Chicago exhibition, was detained by ICE. We are wishing for the safety and well-being of Tania and her family during this time.

When your mom told you to clean your room and pick up your toys, this probably isn't what she had in mind. CHM collectio...
05/28/2026

When your mom told you to clean your room and pick up your toys, this probably isn't what she had in mind.

CHM collection manager Alli Pohl and collection technician Sophia Klun opened up a display case containing toys and other goods manufactured in Chicago to do some spring cleaning. The inside and outside of the glass got wiped down, the sides of the case were dusted, and select items were temporarily moved out so that the shelves and display areas could be thoroughly dusted and vacuumed.

You can see these items in our permanent exhibition Chicago: Crossroads of America: https://ow.ly/MlIu50Z5cPR

On May 27, 1933, the second world’s fair set in Chicago opened to colorful fanfare in the midst of the Great Depression—...
05/27/2026

On May 27, 1933, the second world’s fair set in Chicago opened to colorful fanfare in the midst of the Great Depression—with the help of some starlight. Forty years had passed, it was believed, since the light had emanated from the star Arcturus in the constellation Boötes and arrived at 9:15 p.m. on photoelectric plates at four observatories, where the weak current it generated would be amplified and then sent, via telegraph wires, to the nation’s second largest city.

One by one, accompanied by the singing of the national anthem, the blasting of cannons, and the pealing of bells, the sleek and modern buildings became bathed in electric light, a rainbow of colors. In 1933, the A Century of Progress International Exposition opened in a burst of what could only be described as technicolor.

In our latest blog post, Paul Durica, Director of Curation and Exhibitions at CHM, writes about the circumstances of the A Century of Progress International Exposition and how planners sought to make it different from the first world’s fair: https://ow.ly/rQ8X50Z4NXj

In Cuba, May 20 is a day just like any other. However, for the roughly 18,000 Cubans who call Chicago home, and for the ...
05/20/2026

In Cuba, May 20 is a day just like any other. However, for the roughly 18,000 Cubans who call Chicago home, and for the thousands more in the diaspora around the world, May 20, 1902, is remembered as one of the most important moments in the island’s history. On this day, the Cuban flag, the Estrella Solitaria (Lone Star), was raised for the first time over the Castle of the Three Kings of Morro in the bay of Havana, marking the end of formal United States military occupation, thereby inaugurating the Republic of Cuba as an independent nation, kickstarting over a century of complex international relations between both countries.

In our latest blog post, Jojo Galvan Mora, CHM Digital Humanities Fellow, writes a brief history of Cuban independence, the country’s ties to the US, and Cuban relations with Chicago. https://ow.ly/qWpS50Z2h8H

One of the best things about living in Chicago is that every neighborhood has a story most people don't know. The Chicag...
05/15/2026

One of the best things about living in Chicago is that every neighborhood has a story most people don't know. The Chicago History Museum runs walking tours all over the city — Pilsen, the Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, Humboldt Park, the West Loop — led by local guides who actually know these places.

It's a different way to see your own city. Tickets are available at chicagohistory.org/events.

Save the Date—the Making History Awards are on June 3! Over the past 31 years, the Making History Awards have celebrated...
05/06/2026

Save the Date—the Making History Awards are on June 3! Over the past 31 years, the Making History Awards have celebrated the accomplishments of individuals and corporations who have left their mark on Chicago. The event provides vital financial support to the Museum in fulfilling our mission. This year’s honorees represent the breadth of leadership shaping the city today across business, culture, and civic life:

⭐ Debra A. Cafaro, chairman and CEO, Ventas
⭐ Fred J. Eychaner, chairman, Newsweb Corporation; president, Alphawood Foundation
⭐ George “Buddy” Guy, iconic blues guitarist, singer and songwriter
⭐ John W. McCarter Jr., former president and CEO, Field Museum of Natural History; chair, Board of Regents, Smithsonian Institution; interim president, Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
⭐ Linda Johnson Rice, chairman, Johnson Publishing Company

Join us on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 6 p.m. at the Four Seasons Hotel as we share each of our five honorees’ unique stories and hear from esteemed colleagues on the importance of their contributions to our community: https://ow.ly/wy1450YVJZr

Cinco de Mayo is here, and the scent of lime juice is in the air! We’re popping salt on the rims of some festive cocktai...
05/05/2026

Cinco de Mayo is here, and the scent of lime juice is in the air! We’re popping salt on the rims of some festive cocktails. But why? Fighting colonial powers!

In the US, Cinco de Mayo has become a general celebration of Mexican culture. Sometimes people even mistake it for Mexican Independence Day (which is actually September 16).

In our latest blog post, Elena Gonzales, CHM curator of civic engagement and social justice, writes about the origins of the holiday, US imperialism, and the possible reason why General Antonio López de Santa Anna’s ceremonial spurs and bit are in our collection. https://ow.ly/4n9G50YV0c5

Chicago was the birthplace of the 21st-century immigration movement. in 2006, documented and undocumented workers acro...
05/01/2026

Chicago was the birthplace of the 21st-century immigration movement. in 2006, documented and undocumented workers across the US took the day off for “A Day Without An Immigrant” to demonstrate the importance of immigrant labor in sustaining the US and demand comprehensive immigration reform. 500,000+ people started this national movement in Chicago two months prior, marching across the Loop in response to a series of anti-immigrant bills in Congress and jumpstarting a series of national demonstrations.

While programs such as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and work permits for eligible asylum seekers constitute some modest safety, comprehensive immigration reform has remained elusive. The last major revision passed in 1965 with the Hart-Celler Act, abolishing the system of national quotas and instead prioritizing immigrants with particular skills and family relationships. Learn more about the history of Chicago's Latino/a/e communities in our exhibition : https://ow.ly/jh9i50YKuq8

Now on view—an escaramuza (equestrian-style) quinceañera dress! When My Quince World donated two quinceañera dresses to ...
04/29/2026

Now on view—an escaramuza (equestrian-style) quinceañera dress!

When My Quince World donated two quinceañera dresses to us, we knew we had to show off both of them. Plus, artifact rotations are a common museum practice that helps us preserve our collection items. Depending on their material, some objects are very delicate, and being on display—on a mount, under lights—hasten their decomposition.

Our conservation and exhibitions staff first opened the case, carefully removed the mannequin wearing the previous gown, and thoroughly vacuumed the case. A new sheet of protective mylar was laid on the case floor, and after the new mannequin was installed, mount maker Michael Hall accessorized the outfit with a tiara and bouquet. See it now in : https://ow.ly/2lqK50YRPUC

CHM is deeply saddened by the loss of Pete Kastanes, the founder and administrator of Vanished Chicagoland. He was honor...
04/27/2026

CHM is deeply saddened by the loss of Pete Kastanes, the founder and administrator of Vanished Chicagoland. He was honored in 2025 with our Citizen Historian Award for his dedication to preserving and sharing the memory of long-gone Chicago businesses and events.

Pete Kastanes (left) with Eric Miller, CHM development coordinator, February 20, 2025.

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

Website

https://www.chicagohistory.org/visit-us/chm-museum-store/

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