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Among the attractions of the 1932 building--and of the Chicago Historical Society
today--are dioramas that depict eight scenes from the city's history through the end of the
nineteenth century. The most dramatic is this recreation of the night Chicago burned,
which gives every visitor the same perspective, looking over the railroad breakwater toward
the downtown, as do the several bird's-eye views of the fire. In conjunction with the 1971
building addition and the fire centennial, the dioramas were refurbished. The fire scene
received the most attention by far, including a new lighting system. In addition, at the
touch of a button, one could now hear a forty-five-second recording of "the cries of
terrified citizens, the neighing of frantic horses, the roar of spreading flames, and the
explosion of burning buildings." While the flames continue to shimmer in the background,
the recording is long gone.
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Tending the Fire 