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[title]Chicago History Museum aims to share the city’s stories through carefully curated programs, events, exhibitions, and more cultural highlights that inspire those who visit. Touching the lives of Chicagoans, it aims to make personal and meaningful connections to history. And this year, the CHM has a plethora of exciting things to explore.
Open now until June 29, City on Fire: Chicago 1871 will tell the story of a summer-long heatwave, a city built of wood and an exhausted team of firefighters all at the center of political tension that is bubbling to the surface just as a spark ignited one of the greatest fires in the city’s history. Be amazed by vivid depictions of the great blaze, and immerse yourself in an extraordinary 40-foot-wide oil painting that captures a 360° view of the Great Chicago Fire.
Vivian Maier: In Color is another unmissable highlight in the museum’s calendar, featuring 65 images of everyday moments from the 1950s to 1970s in suburban Chicago. From discarded newspapers to a child resting her face on a ferry window, the images encourage you to see the beauty in ordinary life. After her passing, the photographer left behind hundreds of prints, 100,000 negatives, and thousands of rolls of film, many of the ones you will see here have never been showcased before. It’s sure to be a moving multimedia experience. Catch it now until January 2, 2023.
Meanwhile, Remembering Dr. King: 1929–1968 runs until July 4 and invites guests to explore over 25 images depicting key moments in the Civil Rights Movement and Dr. King’s life with special emphasis on his time in Chicago. Meanwhile, Millions of Moments: The Chicago Sun-Times Photo Collection will showcase breaking news stories, bold images from sport and entertainment, and everyday Chicagoans from the twentieth century across over 150 images from the trusted local newspaper until December 31, 2023. This also happens to be one of the most expansive photograph collections from a newspaper ever acquired by an American museum. Both of these temporary exhibits are sure to be moving for local guests and tourists alike, as they depict key moments in the city’s history.
These can all be found alongside permanent collections exploring themes such as women’s activism in Chicago, the meaning of freedom, and Abraham Lincoln, as the museum bring the rich history of the city to life through interactive displays, multisensory experiences, and treasured artifacts. Make it a new year’s resolution to pay Chicago History Museum a visit in 2022.