During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln’s pen was his most powerful weapon, reflecting his changing views on slavery. Discover how his words still challenge and inspire us today and leave a legacy of hope and the eternal pursuit of human equality. More

Discover beauty in the reality of everyday urban life through the lens of this enigmatic photographer whose story is as curious and compelling as the images she captured. More

Generations of Americans have grappled with the meaning of freedom defined by the nation’s founders. Discover how the quest for equality over the past 200 years has transformed what it means to be free. More

Climb aboard L car no. 1, visit a jazz club, picture yourself in the fashions of a Marshall Field's store window, and learn what makes Chicago home sweet home. Explore the city's history through a series of galleries that highlight artifacts from the museum’s remarkable collection. More

Authors of fact and fiction, prose and poetry have shaped Chicago’s identity and helped us understand the complexity of our great city. Explore this multimedia experience with diverse and inspiring works by writers, past and present. More

Abraham Lincoln may have lived in Springfield, but Chicago was his second home and political headquarters during his rise to the White House. This gallery provides a glimpse of the city that Lincoln knew—a dynamic young metropolis on the verge of greatness. More

Pulled from the darkened shelves and hidden crates of the Museum's collection storage rooms, these remarkable objects are finally getting their spotlight, and they have some pretty amazing stories to tell. More

Use your five senses to explore Chicago, uncover the past, and discover that history is all around you. More

If Chicago’s flag had a fifth star, what would it represent? Discover highlights from the city’s past, cast your vote, and see how your choice stacks up. While in the gallery, be sure to look beneath your feet and explore Chicagoland on our wall-to-wall floor map. More

Feel the intensity of the Great Chicago Fire and splendor of the World’s Columbian Exposition. Explore the sights of bustling Maxwell Street in the 1950s and peer down from an I-beam at the top of the Sears Tower in the 1970s. Relive Chicago sports victories and cheer on President Obama during his Grant Park victory speech in this compelling adventure film. More