Chicago History Museum

The Chicago History Museum is a history museum in Lincoln Park with extensive collections of objects, documents, and photographs that show the city's transformation from a trading post into a major metropolis. The holdings include millions of pieces documenting different eras and aspects of urban life.

The institution began in 1856 and lost its first collections during the great fire of 1871, which destroyed large parts of the city. Afterward, it rebuilt its holdings at several locations before taking its current form.

The building carries the name of an institution that residents have used for over a century and a half to preserve and share their city's story. Visitors today see exhibitions showing how people in Chicago used art and activism to drive social change, especially in the years after 1960.

The address at 1601 North Clark Street sits centrally in Lincoln Park and is easy to reach, with free admission for children under 12. Adults pay a standard rate, while seniors and students receive reduced prices.

The research center preserves papers from Abraham Lincoln and materials from protest movements that are accessible in the archives. A costume collection shows garments from different decades that reflect social developments in the city.

Location: Chicago

Inception: 1856

Founders: Chicago Historical Society

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Fee: Yes

Address: 1601 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

Opening Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 09:45-16:30; Sunday 11:45-17:00; December 24,31, 09:30-14:30, July 04 12:00-16:30; January 01,December 24 off

Phone: +13126424600

Website: https://chicagohistory.org

GPS coordinates: 41.91200,-87.63130

Latest update: December 20, 2025 13:02