About the Collection
The Red Squad Collection New!
The Chicago Police Department, Red Squad selected records, c. 1930s-86 (bulk 1963-74) concerns surveillance of suspected “subversive” groups by the Chicago Police Department, ca. mid-1950s-74. The records were involved in two federal lawsuits. After these lawsuits were settled, Judge Susan Getzendanner of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois issued an order that deposited these records at the Museum and imposed certain restrictions on access to and disclosure of the records.
> Learn about accessing the Red Squad collection
Over 22 Million Chicago and U.S. History Artifacts and Documents
The Museum's collection of over 22 million artifacts and documents is a rich source for the study of the history of Chicago as metropolitan urban center that spans five counties, as part of the state of Illinois, and as a part of the broader history of the United States.
Explore the research resources available in each of our eight main collection areas:
> Archives and Manuscripts (includes Radio, Oral History, and Sound Recordings)
> Books and other Published Materials
> Decorative and Industrial Arts
> Fine Arts (includes Paintings, Sculpture, and Works-On-Paper)
> Prints and Photographs (includes Film and Video)
Collecting Scope
The Museum's collecting scope currently emphasizes five areas.
Living in the Metropolitan Area
Demographic change, family life, communities, neighborhoods, religious life, gender, sports, recreation, class, suburbs, leisure, crime, race, ethnicity, and education
Working in the Metropolitan Area
The changing economic base of the city, business, manufacturing, labor, transportation, and scientific and technological development
Governing the Metropolitan Area
Electoral politics, citizen action movements, community organizing, and urban planning
The Built Environment
Architecture and building in the metropolitan area in its broadest social and economic context, including real estate and development, construction, engineering, public housing, residential homes, commercial buildings, and architects and architectural firms
Individuals and Ideas
Art, literature, music, and philosophy produced by individuals in the metropolitan area, particularly as reflections on the interpretations of this area
