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Chicago History Minute

On August 28, 1968, thousands of protesters are stopped from marching on the Democratic National Convention. Protesters and police both were injured, and 83 million Americans watched on TV.
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Exhibitions

Skyline Gallery

Catholic Chicago

March 8, 2008 through January 4, 2009
The first in a series of exhibitions to explore the contributions of the city’s religious communities, this exhibition illustrates how the experience of being Catholic in Chicago has transformed over time. Examined through a historical context, several themes—the parish, education, worship, social action, and community celebrations—will introduce and reveal the lives of Catholics, past and present.

> Learn more about Catholic Chicago

Current Exhibitions

Treasures

CHICAGO@40: The Band and its City

December 4, 2007 through December 7, 2008
Chicago is one of the most successful U.S. pop/rock and roll bands of all time. To honor their 40th anniversary, museum curators teamed up with the band to create this commemorative installation. The display includes objects and materials drawn from the band's archive, recording their remarkable history.

Upcoming Exhibitions

Treasures

Chic Chicago:
Couture Treasures from the Chicago History Museum

September 27, 2008 through July 26, 2009
The Chicago History Museum will present a rare opportunity to see more than fifty of the greatest couture pieces from our acclaimed costume collection. The couture pieces will span from 1878 through 1996 by designers such as Gianni Versace, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, Jeanne Lanvin, Charles Frederick Worth, Comme des Garçons, Charles James, and more. Chic Chicago will give testimony to the world’s innovative fashion designers and Chicago's great women of style. 

> Learn more about Chic Chicago

> Purchase tickets for the Chic Chicago Preview

Treasures

Burnham 2.0

Opens November 8, 2008
This exhibition explores how contemporary architects have responded to Daniel Burnham's hundred-year-old plan for Chicago.



Permanent Exhibitions

Crossroads

The Exelon Wing

Chicago: Crossroads of America

Discover the city's vast history in Chicago: Crossroads of America. Whether you are interested in Chicago's changing economy, challenging crises, diverse neighborhoods, groundbreaking innovations, or lively cultural scene, this exhibition is a must see!

Enhance your experience of Chicago: Crossroads of America by taking an audio tour of the exhibition. Ask for the tour at our Visitor Center, or download it here and play it on your own MP3 device.

> Learn more about the Crossroads audio tours

> Download the Second City Crossroads audio tour in English

> Download the Second City Crossroads audio tour in Spanish

> Download the In Our Own Words teen audio tour in English

Dioramas

Tawani Foundation Diorama Hall

The Dioramas

Our much-loved dioramas have been restored and are better than ever! Visit the Tawani Foundation Diorama Hall to learn the story of Chicago's rise from a desolate frontier outpost in 1804 to the bustling city that hosted the World's Columbian Exposition of 1893. Engaging details invite you to look closely and put history into a larger context.

Treasures

Treasures

This series of building-wide installations promises to surprise you from the moment you step in the door. Highlights include a 1978 Chevrolet Monte Carlo lowrider, souvenirs from Chicago's world's fairs, and Abraham Lincoln's deathbed.

> View the lowrider video