Chicago Museum of Science and Industry

Chicago Museum of Science and Industry. Located in Jackson Park on the South Side of Chicago, it is one of the largest science museums in the world. Founded during the Century of Progress exposition, the museum is renowned for its interactive exhibits and historic artifacts. It operates as a non-profit institution dedicated to inspiring scientific curiosity and innovation.

History

The museum's origins are tied to the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, as its building was originally the Palace of Fine Arts designed by Charles B. Atwood. Following the exposition, the structure housed the Field Museum of Natural History until that institution moved. In the 1920s, Sears, Roebuck and Co. president Julius Rosenwald championed the creation of a new museum focused on industrial science, inspired by the Deutsches Museum in Munich. The museum opened to the public in 1933 as part of the Century of Progress world's fair. Key early exhibits included a working coal mine and a captured German submarine U-505, which became a permanent display after a fundraising campaign led by Admiral Daniel V. Gallery.

Exhibits and attractions

The museum features over 400,000 square feet of exhibit space, housing iconic displays like the full-sized Union Pacific Big Boy locomotive and the Apollo 8 command module. The U-505 submarine exhibit is a National Historic Landmark and one of only two Type IX submarines on display in the world. Other major permanent exhibits include Science Storms, which explores natural phenomena like tornadoes and tsunamis, and The Great Train Story, a model railroad depicting transportation between Chicago and Seattle. The Henry Crown Space Center features artifacts from NASA missions, while YOU! The Experience focuses on human biology. Temporary exhibitions have covered topics ranging from Leonardo da Vinci to Marvel: Universe of Super Heroes.

Architecture and building

The museum's Beaux-Arts building, the former Palace of Fine Arts, is the only major structure from the World's Columbian Exposition that remains on its original site. After the exposition, the building's exterior was reconstructed in more durable materials by the firm of D. H. Burnham & Company. A major renovation and expansion from 1987 to 1992, led by architect Alfred P. Shaw of Shaw and Associates, added a new entrance pavilion and underground parking. The building's interior features a grand rotunda and was significantly modernized to accommodate large exhibits. The museum's location within Jackson Park places it near other landmarks like the University of Chicago and the site of the future Obama Presidential Center.

Educational programs and outreach

The museum operates extensive educational initiatives, including the Center for the Advancement of Science Education (CASE). It hosts the annual Black Creativity program, one of the nation's longest-running exhibitions celebrating African American achievements in science and art. The museum's MSI Scholars program provides STEM learning opportunities for Chicago Public Schools students. Partnerships with institutions like Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Illinois support teacher development and curriculum design. The museum also offers traveling exhibits and digital learning resources that reach schools across the Midwestern United States.

Governance and funding

The museum is governed by a Board of Trustees, with leadership from presidents such as Chevy Humphrey. It operates as an independent non-profit organization and is not part of the Smithsonian Institution. Major funding comes from private donations, corporate sponsorships from companies like Boeing and ComEd, membership programs, and ticket revenue. The museum has undertaken several major capital campaigns, including one to fund the construction of a new exhibit hall for the U-505. It receives some support from the State of Illinois and the Chicago Park District, which owns the building and land.

Category:Museums in Chicago Category:Science museums in Illinois Category:Buildings and structures in Jackson Park (Chicago) Category:1933 establishments in Illinois