Supporting the Chicago History Museum for Over 65 Years
Founded in 1948, The Guild of the Chicago History Museum is committed to assisting with a variety of the Chicago History Museum’s needs and provides funding for many major projects. From 1967 to 1975, it contributed over $50,000 to the campaign to build a new wing for the Museum. In a modernization project launched in 1985, The Guild raised over $1 million, making it the largest support group donor to the campaign. To honor this achievement, the original 1932 Georgian-style building was dedicated to The Guild.
The Guild focuses on promoting the Chicago History Museum’s programs and groundbreaking exhibitions and has contributed over $2 million for recent projects, including:
- 2002 Digital Photography Studio
- 2004 Card Catalogue Conversion Project
- 2008 Catalogue for Chicago: Crossroads of America
- 2008 Big Picture, an exhibition of paintings in Chicago
- 2009 Creation of the Lincoln Bicentennial Teen Council in honor of the Year of Lincoln exhibition
- 2012 The Great Chicago Fire web application created in collaboration with Northwestern University
- 2014 lead sponsor of The 1968 Exhibit
- 2015 Guild Gallery renovation
As a leader among women’s boards in the city of Chicago, in May 2012 The Guild hosted a historic luncheon for eighteen women’s boards serving Chicago’s cultural community. A plaque commemorating this historic event is on permanent display in the Guild Room.
A dynamic group of more than 350 members, The Guild today continues to provide strong support to the Chicago History Museum as it pursues its educational mission through monthly programs, annual giving, and fundraisers. Membership to the Guild is by nomination only.
Contact Us
For more details about The Guild, contact Ishan Johnson, Auxiliary Groups Coordinator, at 312-799-2118, ijohnson@chicagohistory.org, or write to:
The Guild of the Chicago History Museum
1601 North Clark Street
Chicago, Illinois 60614
