Mission: The Chicago History Museum is the city's oldest cultural institution, founded as the Chicago Historical Society in 1857 by leading entrepreneurs to help develop their frontier town into a balanced city. Nationally recognized for its major collections, the Museum specializes in the diverse and evolving history of Chicago and Illinois, as well as selected areas of American history.

Our mission is to share Chicago stories, serving as a hub for scholarship and learning, inspiration and civic engagement. The Chicago History Museum collects, exhibits, and interprets documents, images, and artifacts related to the history of metropolitan Chicago and the United States. Permanent and special exhibitions, a dynamic website, publications, research guidance to the collection, and educational programs are offered to the public.

Chicago History Museum is a 501(c)(3) organization, with an IRS ruling year of 1932, and donations are tax-deductible.