Chicago History Museum

The Chicago History Museum is the city’s oldest cultural institution, founded in 1856 to study and interpret Chicago’s rich multicultural history. Located in the historic Lincoln Park neighborhood at the intersection of Clark Street and North Avenue, the museum has been serving the community from this location since 1932.

The museum houses over 23 million objects in its collections, making it one of the premier cultural institutions in the Midwest. Through dynamic exhibitions, educational programs, special events, guided tours, and extensive research collections, the museum connects people to Chicago’s history and to each other. Permanent exhibitions include ‘Chicago: Crossroads of America,’ which explores the city’s development and influence on U.S. history, and ‘Sensing Chicago,’ an interactive exhibition that engages all five senses.

The museum’s collections include historical artifacts such as a chunk of the original Fort Dearborn, the first locomotive to operate in Chicago, Abraham Lincoln’s deathbed and other Civil War memorabilia, and the table where General Robert E. Lee signed his surrender to end the Civil War. Recent exhibitions have focused on topics including the Emmett Till trial, Latino/a/e communities in Chicago, protest art from the 1960s-70s, and various aspects of Chicago’s cultural heritage.

The Abakanowicz Research Center offers free admission and provides access to archives, manuscripts, photographs, architectural drawings, and other materials related to Chicago history. The museum also features the North & Clark Café, offering fresh daily specials including breakfast items, soups, burgers, and Chicago-style hot dogs. The Museum Store features books, dinnerware, apparel, games, and Chicago-themed souvenirs.

The museum offers field trips, educator programs, family-friendly activities, commemorative day events, and special programming throughout the year. Membership provides free admission, behind-the-scenes experiences, special discounts, and exclusive member events.