Connect with History

The Museum's History à la Cart stations encourage students to actively engage with the past. Facilitated by trained staff and volunteers, these 20-minute hands-on experiences are located throughout our galleries.

Grades 3–5

 The Great Chicago Fire

Use an oversized map, icons, photographs and first-hand accounts to trace the events of October 8–10, 1871, and collaboratively tell the story of the fire.

 Prairie Landscape

Measure and mark the height and root depth of native plants. Imagine the vastness of the prairie through images and settlers' accounts.

 Skyscrapers

Imagine living in the famous John Hancock Center. Explore Chicago's skyscrapers through improvisation and building activities.

 Artifacts 

Discover objects through touch and discussion, then bring an adjective into the gallery and choose an artifact that matches it. Draw and write about your object, then share your opinion and find out what others think. 

 Neighborhood 

Welcome to your new Lincoln Park home! Explore the exhibition Lincoln Park Block by Block and work together to create a Mad Lib-style letter about your discoveries. 

Grades 3–8

 Bridges

Create, construct, and test bridges to discover how they work and why they are so important in Chicago’s history.

 Maps

Map Chicago’s history on this one-of-a-kind gallery hunt. Use a compass and geography skills to connect artifacts to locations on a large, eye-catching map.

Grades 6–12

 Neighborhood

The 1954 DuSable High School basketball team was the first all–African American team to reach the state finals. Uncover the story of this remarkable team using discussion, debate, and reader’s theater–style role-play.

History à la Cart Schedule

For more flexibility during your visit, all stations are accessible on a first-come, first-served basis.

Generous support for the Chicago History Museum gallery activity stations has been provided by the Albert Pick, Jr. Fund. The Museum gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Carole and Gordon Segal and Bank of America, who made the maps activity station possible.