Chicago Maritime Museum
Unbeknownst to most local residents, Chicago was once the busiest seaport in the world. In 1871, the year of the Great Fire, more ships arrived in Chicago than in any other North American city, giving rise to the city’s earliest industries: grain and lumber.
A new museum in the Bridgeport Art Center tells the story of how Chicago’s history and development stem from its axis at the foot of the Great Lakes.
Designed by architect and museum Chairman, Dirk Lohan, the new Chicago Maritime Museum offers visitors a chronological walk through Chicago's maritime history -- French fur traders, the era of sail on the Great Lakes, steam-powered vessels, modern commercial vessels, recreational sailing and the Ralph and Rita Frese canoe collection. The 10,000-square-foot museum is getting high marks for its sleek, patron-friendly design.
Key museum attractions include: a dive suit from rescue efforts at the Eastland disaster site, a model of the David Dows, the only five-masted schooner built to sail on the Great Lakes, a model of the USS Wolverine, which was converted from a steamship to an aircraft carrier for training naval pilots in WWII on Lake Michigan and antique and replica canoes.
The tour also features a nod to recreational boating and the history of the Chicago Mackinac Race. One framed map shows the chart used by the winning crew of Dick Jenning's Pied Piper for their 1987 race. Their record-breaking journey is logged on the map in pencil.
The museum is located at 1200 W. 35th Street on the river level of the Bridgeport Art Center. The museum entrance and free parking are on the north side of the building.
A new museum in the Bridgeport Art Center tells the story of how Chicago’s history and development stem from its axis at the foot of the Great Lakes.
Designed by architect and museum Chairman, Dirk Lohan, the new Chicago Maritime Museum offers visitors a chronological walk through Chicago's maritime history -- French fur traders, the era of sail on the Great Lakes, steam-powered vessels, modern commercial vessels, recreational sailing and the Ralph and Rita Frese canoe collection. The 10,000-square-foot museum is getting high marks for its sleek, patron-friendly design.
Key museum attractions include: a dive suit from rescue efforts at the Eastland disaster site, a model of the David Dows, the only five-masted schooner built to sail on the Great Lakes, a model of the USS Wolverine, which was converted from a steamship to an aircraft carrier for training naval pilots in WWII on Lake Michigan and antique and replica canoes.
The tour also features a nod to recreational boating and the history of the Chicago Mackinac Race. One framed map shows the chart used by the winning crew of Dick Jenning's Pied Piper for their 1987 race. Their record-breaking journey is logged on the map in pencil.
The museum is located at 1200 W. 35th Street on the river level of the Bridgeport Art Center. The museum entrance and free parking are on the north side of the building.
HOURS
Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 4pm
ADMISSION
Adults $10, Students (with valid ID) and seniors (65+) $5, Children (12 and under) and Military & teachers (with valid I.D.) FREE.
Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 4pm
ADMISSION
Adults $10, Students (with valid ID) and seniors (65+) $5, Children (12 and under) and Military & teachers (with valid I.D.) FREE.
