Proving that plant-based diets are not a passing fad, we found this guide for greener living in the stacks of our Research Center. “The Vegetarian and Our Fellow Creatures” (1901) is the earliest known instance of vegetarianism in our collection. The pamphlet was copublished by the Illinois Anti-Vivisection Society, Chicago Vegetarian Society, and the Vegetarian Society of America and includes recipes, letters from supportive readers, and advertisements.

The Chicago History Museum’s Research Center is one of the premier research facilities in Chicago, and it carries on the tradition of serving the public the Chicago Historical Society established with its founding in 1856. Explore the research center’s online resources.

ABOUT THE CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM

The Chicago History Museum is situated on ancestral homelands of the Potawatomi people, who cared for the land until forced out by non-Native settlers. Established in 1856, the Museum is now at 1601 N. Clark Street in Lincoln Park, its third location. As a major museum and research center for Chicago and U.S. history, the Chicago History Museum strives to be a destination for learning, inspiration and civic engagement. Through dynamic exhibitions, tours, publications, special events and programming, the Museum connects people to Chicago’s history and to each other. To share Chicago stories, the Museum collects and preserves millions of artifacts, documents, images and other items that are relevant to the city’s history. The Museum gratefully acknowledges the support of the Chicago Park District on behalf of the people of Chicago.