The Chicago History Museum Presents Unique Explorations of the City

The Chicago History Museum presents city-wide tours that explore Chicago’s rich history all-summer long.  From neighborhood walks to river cruises, these summer tours offer a variety of ways to experience the city’s iconic and unexpected stories.

“We encourage Chicagoans to take advantage of the summer weather to explore the city’s rich history through fun and engaging tours that take place across Chicago this season,” said Nancy Villafranca, director of education at the Chicago  History Museum.

Following are a list of select tours offered by the Museum this summer. The Museum’s complete tour offerings are available online at chicagohistory.org/summertours.

Shel Silverstein’s Chicago Stroll
Sunday, June 30; 1 p.m.
Many Chicagoans don’t know that writer Shel Silverstein, beloved for classics such as “The Giving Tree” and “Where the Sidewalk Ends,” was born in Chicago. Stops on this tour explore Silverstein’s Chicago connections and include the former Playboy Mansion, legendary music club the Gate of Horn and other locales in the Gold Coast and Old Town neighborhoods that shaped some of his popular work.

Chicago History Herstory
Sunday, July 22; 2 p.m.
Women have played a vital role in the shaping of Chicago but their contributions have often been overlooked. This trolley tour explores the famous, infamous and little-known women of Chicago who have left their indelible marks on the city.

Rosehill Cemetery Tour East
Sunday, July 29; 1 p.m.
Tour participants will embark on an architectural journey through the Victorian era section of one of Chicago’s most notable cemeteries. Participants will encounter some of the most complete commemorations of the Civil War, including the graves of 14 Union generals, six drummer boys and hundreds of soldiers.

Pilsen Walking Murals Tour
Saturdays July 7 and August 4; 2 p.m.
This tour through Pilsen explores the larger meaning behind the artwork in Chicago’s capital of Mexican culture. The neighborhood tour weaves through the history of Pilsen with vibrant large-scale murals and lived personal experiences.

Ride Like the Devil: Devil in the White City Bike Tour
Saturday, August 11; 9 a.m.
Inspired by Erik Larson’s best-selling book, this bike tour follows the trails of Daniel Burnham and the devilish doings of H.H. Holmes. The tour pedals past sites related to the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, such as the Midway Plaisance in Hyde Park.

Chicago History Cruise
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, June 1–September 3; 3 p.m.
The Chicago History Cruise boat tour explores the growth and transformation of the city’s skyline. Vintage imagery from the Museum’s photo archive illustrates how Chicago has transformed over the years, giving participants unique perspectives into Chicago then and now. This tour is presented in collaboration with Chicago Line Cruises.

For more tour offerings, information on specific tours and to purchase tickets, visit chicagohistory.org/summertours.

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.