Chicago History Museum is the museum of the Chicago Historical Society (CHS). The CHS was founded in 1856 to study and interpret Chicago's history. The museum has been located in Lincoln Park since the 1930s at 1601 North Clark Street at the intersection of North Avenue in the Old Town Triangle neighborhood. The CHS adopted the name, Chicago History Museum, in September 2006 for its public presence.
Much of the Chicago Historical Society's first collection was destroyed in the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, but the museum rose from the ashes like the city. Among its many documents which were lost in the fire was Abraham Lincoln's final draft of the Emancipation Proclamation. After the fire, the Society began collecting new materials, which were stored in a building owned by J. Young Scammon, a prominent lawyer and member of the society. However, the building and new collection were again destroyed by fire in 1874. The Chicago Historical Society built a fireproof building on its pre-1871 building-site at 632 North Dearborn Street. The replacement building opened in 1896 and housed the society for thirty-six years. The building was later added to the National Register of Historic Places as the Old Chicago Historical Society Building.
Monday | 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
Tuesday | 9:30 AM – 9:00 PM |
Wednesday | 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
Thursday | 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
Friday | 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
Saturday | 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM |
Sunday | 12:00 – 5:00 PM |
Sumy Guzman | Feb 10, 2018
Park your vehicle in the museum's parking lot on Stockton Drive so that you can get a discount on the parking. The museum was awesome! Ask the front desk for a tour to get more information about the museum. They usually run every couple hours throughout the day. Military and students get discounts on tickets with ID. The restaurant at the museum is pretty good, too. Restrooms were clean and fully stocked. And after the museum closes, walk through the park, sit down on the benches, take a breather! Chicago has some beautiful parks, don't let the pressure of life keep you from the simple things that make us human.
Veronica Ostermeyer | Feb 18, 2018
Amazing museum. I have a great time there. It is very entertaining and for all the family. There is a replica of one of the first city air trains as many other sections with different stories about Chicago.
Jenni Gilmer | Jan 9, 2018
Chi-town is a way cool city with an equally cool museum to tell its history. We were fascinated by the hall of dioramas about the city's early history, the Crossroads section (especially learning about the Pullman railcars and the part about the meat industry's early days), and the five star challenge. The short film also was enjoyable. The Chicago History Museum is a must see for all lovers of the Windy City!
Jenny G | Feb 18, 2018
Easily accessible by public transportation ( Brown line Sedgwick) It’s located in a lovely part of the city, & has beautiful & interesting exhibits. Complimentary coat check, free for Illinois teachers (with ID) and friendly staff a plus. Don’t forget to get on the trains on the second floor.
Rachel Fallert | Oct 13, 2017
This review is of a Chicago History Museum tour. Disclaimer: I have not visited the actual museum...yet. I took the Old Town walking tour. It was excellent and I highly recommend it. Not only do you learn a lot about the history of Old Town, but you learn about the surrounding neighborhoods (Gold Coast, Lincoln Park) and a lot of general Chicago history. The length of the tour was perfect (just under 2 hours). You make several stops along the way to look at everything from historical homes, bars, churches, parks and more. The highlight was being able to go inside St. Michael. It's absolutely beautiful. I'd recommend the tour for teens and adults...of any age. The walking isn't extensive and there are lots of (standing) breaks along the way.
taja jones | Mar 13, 2018
I brought my boyfriend here he lives out of state and it was my first time going there and we had a great time! We both enjoyed the "Race Exhibit" that is running right now. We also did a guided tour it was only 30 mins but very I formative. Our guide, Vera, was sweet and wonderful to listen to. I definitely recommend visiting the Chicago History Museum!
Vince Schauf | Mar 7, 2018
In the 29 years I've lived in the Chicago area, I have gone to the Chicago History Museum, and it has never disappointed. They have excellent, relevant displays; they have a hands-on part to the museum. Spend at least an hour if not several hours to get a good comprehensive experience from the library. I agree with Sumy Guzman who gave a review before me. She indicated to get a parking discount and explains how. Check out each of the floors. If there was quibble about the CHM it is that the food is pretty expensive, but that's not enough to give it 4 stars. It certainly deserves a 5-star rating!
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