What began as a center for American history today boasts an unparalleled collection of information on American history through the Civil War era and memorabilia from the Civl War and Abraham Lincoln. The Chicago Historical Society is a must for tourists and residents alike who want a general overview of what Chicago is all about -- how the city got started, including the pivotal events of the twentieth century. As the nation's premier urban history museum, Chicago Historical Society aims to consistently present exhibitions and special events that inspire, challenge, educate, and amuse. And if you want to learn definitely whether Mrs. O'Leary's cow really started the great Chicago fire, this is the place to visit.
The permanent exhibitions include: Chicago History Galleries, 1803 - 1933 (walk through Chicago's past, from frontier community to metropolis of the Midwest); We the People: Creating a New Nation, 1765 - 1820 (learn the extraordinary story of Americans, known and unknown, who shaped the history of our country); and A House Divided: America in the Age of Lincoln (discover the finest collection of Civil War artifacts in the Midwest while exploring the institution of slavery and the destructive power of a nation at war).
The Chicago Historical Society also has one of the largest image collections in the United States. Accessible to the public without an admission fee, the Prints and Photographs Collection contains more than 1.5 million images, making it the single largest source for pictorial information concerning the history of the Chicago metropolitan area from the early nineteenth century to the present, as well as American history prior to 1865. The collection includes prints, photographs, broadsides and posters, postcards, and motion picture film.
Probably one of the Historical Society's best-kept secrets is its Research Center and the collection of published materials.(Open Tues,Thurs-Sat 10am-4:30pm and Wed 1pm-4:30pm). The holdings include more than 66,000 books and pamphlets; 14,000 volumes of periodicals; 3,500 volumes of newspapers; 1,500 scrapbooks composed of newspaper clippings; 10,000 maps and atlases; 5,700 pieces of sheet music; and 11,000 reels of microfilm that include the major Chicago daily newspapers, city and telephone directories, and dissertations.
The Research Center also boasts a substantial collection of trade cards; theater, music, dance, and sports programs; and announcements of coming events, menus, and invitations. Begun in the 1930s, the Research Center maintains an up-to-date newspaper clipping file.
Another research source is the Charles F. Murphy Architectural Study Center, which includes materials documenting Chicago's rich architectural history. Operated as part of the Research Center, the Study Center has one of the nation's largest collections of architectural working drawings, as well as manuscript materials, photographs, architectural models, and building fragments.
The Big Shoulders Cafe is open Mon-Sat 11:30am-3pm, and on Sun 10:30am-3pm, featuring simple, hearty fare.
The museum store offers an array of books on Chicago, Illinois, and Abraham Lincoln, along with reproduction jewelry, posters, and more.
All public spaces and most public restrooms are wheelchair-accessible, and a limited number of wheelchairs are available. An assisted listening system is available in the auditorium, the Society Conference Room, and on gallery tours.
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