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Membership Tiers

Our memberships are designed to be flexible—pick the membership that best suits your needs. Illinois residents 18 & under and children 12 and under are free every day!

All memberships include FREE admission, 10% off at the North & Clark Café, Museum Store & PhotoStore, special discounts on programs and events, and invitations to exclusive events.

The Chicago History Museum has partnered with Historic Hotels of America and Historic Hotels Worldwide to offer you discounts up to 30% off best available rates at participating hotels. Learn more.

Plus package and All-Star members also receive free parking during every visit (a great value) and reciprocity at more than 1,400 museums throughout North America through the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association.

Have more questions or concerns? Check out our FAQs or call (312) 642-4600.

Individual: $70

  • Free Museum admission for one person (only one person can be listed on this membership level)
  • Invitations to annual member-only events, including exhibition previews and celebrations
  • Access to the digital member archive, which houses video and audio recordings of past member events, digitized Chicago History magazines, and more
  • Discounts on programs and the PhotoStore, Museum Store, and North & Clark Café, plus double discount weeks
  • Monthly member communications
Join Now!

Dual: $80

  • Free Museum admission for two people
  • Invitations to annual member-only events, including exhibition previews and celebrations
  • Access to the digital member archive, which houses video and audio recordings of past member events, digitized Chicago History magazines, and more
  • Discounts on programs and the PhotoStore, Museum Store, and North & Clark Café, plus double discount weeks
  • Monthly member communications
Join Now!

Household: $100

  • Free Museum admission for four people
  • Invitations to exclusive member-only events including exhibition previews and celebrations
  • Access to the digital member archive, which houses video and audio recordings of past member events, digitized Chicago History magazines, and more
  • Discounts on programs and the PhotoStore, Museum Store, and North & Clark Café, plus double discount weeks
  • Monthly member communications
Join Now!

All Star: $250

  • Extra philanthropic support for the Museum, including a $120 fully tax-deductible donation to the annual fund
  • Free Museum admission for four people
  • Invitations to exclusive member-only events, including exhibition previews and celebrations
  • Access to the digital member archive, which houses recordings of past member events-both video and audio, digitized Chicago History magazines, and more
  • Discounts on programs and the PhotoStore, Museum Store, and North & Clark Café, plus double discount weeks
  • Reciprocal benefits at +1,400 museums through the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association®
  • Free parking during Museum visits
  • Monthly member e-communications
  • An invitation to one intimate “behind the scenes” experience per year
Join or Renew

Plus: + $30

Add to any package (except All Star) for just $30 and receive:

  • Free parking in our lot located at 1730 N. Stockton Drive during Museum visits
  • Reciprocal benefits at +1,400 museums through the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association®
  • 2 one-time passes to share with friends & family (benefit only available at Dual Plus and Household Plus levels)
Join or Renew
Download Membership Brochure

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply the cost of a Museum visit towards the cost of a membership?

Yes, you can! Save your admission receipt and bring it back to the Visitor Services desk to turn your admission into a membership. This can only be taken advantage of on the same day as the admission purchase. This cannot be combined with any membership discounts or promotions.

How can I purchase a membership?

There are three easy ways to purchase a membership:

  1. Online
    Choose the membership that best fits your needs and follow the steps. It’s quick and easy.
  2. Onsite
    Our Visitor Services team would be happy to assist you!
  3. Phone
    Call (312) 642-4600 during Museum hours (Monday through Saturday 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sunday 12:00-5:00 p.m.
If I purchase a membership today when can I start using it?

You can begin using your membership immediately. Once your membership purchase is complete you will automatically be added to our system and you can visit the Museum the same day.

How long will it take to receive my membership card(s)?

We issue digital membership cards. Your new card(s) should be sent to you via email within a week of your membership purchase. Existing members can expect their card(s) to update within a week of their renewal.

Please see your digital membership card email for more information. You are always welcome to visit the Museum before receiving your cards, as our staff can easily locate your membership in our system.

How long is my membership valid?

Your membership is valid for one year and expires on the last day of the month.

How do I purchase a gift membership?

There are three easy ways to purchase a gift membership:

  1. Online
    a. Select “this membership is a gift” under Registration
    b. Indicate where you would like the membership package sent under “gift information”
  2. Onsite
    Our Visitor Services team would be happy to assist you!
  3. Phone
    Call (312) 642-4600 during Museum hours (Monday through Saturday 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sunday 12:00-5:00 p.m.)
Do seniors receive a discount on membership?

Yes! The Museum offers $10 off of any membership level for seniors 65+. Seniors can renew onsite, over the phone at (312) 642-4600, or online with code SENIORDISON to receive the discount.

This offer cannot be combined with any other offers or be applied to the All Star level.

Is my membership tax-deductible?

The All Star membership is the only general membership level that is tax-deductible ($120). All Star members will receive an acknowledgment via email that they can use for tax purposes. Donate $500 or more to join our Historical Alliance. All Historical Alliance levels are 100% tax-deductible. Learn more.

Does the Museum share my contact information?

The Chicago History Museum never exchanges or sells member email addresses. From time to time, we collaborate with other nonprofit organizations in the arts and culture sector to offer special promotions and interesting opportunities to our members. In such cases, we may exchange member names and postal addresses. If you do not want your name or mailing address shared with other arts and culture focused nonprofit organizations, please notify us through the Contact Us form.

What if my question isn't answered here?

Your question may be answered in the full FAQ list.

Can I apply the cost of a Museum visit towards the cost of a membership?

Yes, you can! Save your admission receipt and bring it back to the Visitor Services desk to turn your admission into a membership. This can only be taken advantage of on the same day as the admission purchase. This cannot be combined with any membership discounts or promotions.

How can I purchase a membership?

There are three easy ways to purchase a membership:

  1. Online
    Choose the membership that best fits your needs and follow the steps. It’s quick and easy.
  2. Onsite
    Our Visitor Services team would be happy to assist you!
  3. Phone
    Call (312) 642-4600 during Museum hours (Monday through Saturday 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sunday 12:00-5:00 p.m.
If I purchase a membership today when can I start using it?

You can begin using your membership immediately. Once your membership purchase is complete you will automatically be added to our system and you can visit the Museum the same day.

How long will it take to receive my membership card(s)?

We issue digital membership cards. Your new card(s) should be sent to you via email within a week of your membership purchase. Existing members can expect their card(s) to update within a week of their renewal.

Please see your digital membership card email for more information. You are always welcome to visit the Museum before receiving your cards, as our staff can easily locate your membership in our system.

How long is my membership valid?

Your membership is valid for one year and expires on the last day of the month.

How do I purchase a gift membership?

There are three easy ways to purchase a gift membership:

  1. Online
    a. Select “this membership is a gift” under Registration
    b. Indicate where you would like the membership package sent under “gift information”
  2. Onsite
    Our Visitor Services team would be happy to assist you!
  3. Phone
    Call (312) 642-4600 during Museum hours (Monday through Saturday 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and Sunday 12:00-5:00 p.m.)
Do seniors receive a discount on membership?

Yes! The Museum offers $10 off of any membership level for seniors 65+. Seniors can renew onsite, over the phone at (312) 642-4600, or online with code SENIORDISON to receive the discount.

This offer cannot be combined with any other offers or be applied to the All Star level.

Is my membership tax-deductible?

The All Star membership is the only general membership level that is tax-deductible ($120). All Star members will receive an acknowledgment via email that they can use for tax purposes. Donate $500 or more to join our Historical Alliance. All Historical Alliance levels are 100% tax-deductible. Learn more.

Does the Museum share my contact information?

The Chicago History Museum never exchanges or sells member email addresses. From time to time, we collaborate with other nonprofit organizations in the arts and culture sector to offer special promotions and interesting opportunities to our members. In such cases, we may exchange member names and postal addresses. If you do not want your name or mailing address shared with other arts and culture focused nonprofit organizations, please notify us through the Contact Us form.

What if my question isn't answered here?

Your question may be answered in the full FAQ list.

How Does Membership Support the Museum?

Our members make Museum visits and virtual workshops free for more than 50,000 students annually. Your membership contribution also guarantees a home and care for millions of significant historic objects, images, and documents.

Join/Renew
NC_195_28_web-student-workshops

Interested in contributing more to our mission?

Join the Historical Alliance

Consider joining our Historical Alliance by making a gift of $500 or more. All donations are 100% tax deductible.

To join the Historical Alliance, contact Eva Rachau, director of development, at rachau@chicagohistory.org or (312) 799-2116.

Learn More

Join the Historical Alliance

Learn More
220629_CHM_TrainCarExhibit_1111

Give the Gift of CHM

Looking for the perfect gift for the history buff in your life? Have a friend that’s new to the city and wants to learn more about its history?

Our membership is a great way to explore Chicago’s storied history and connect with others.

To purchase a gift membership:

  • Select “this membership is a gift” under Registration
  • You can indicate where you would like the membership package sent under “gift information”

If you should have any questions, please call (312) 642-4600.

Purchase Gift Membership

Digital Member Archive

Couldn’t make it to a live member program? Looking for previous issues of Chicago History magazine?

Your membership grants you access to select program recordings and magazine archives through our Digital Member Archive!

View the Digital Archive

Forgot your access code? Contact Hannah Johnson, Member Relations Manager, at hjohnson@chicagohistory.org

Testimonials

Chicago History Museum.
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I’ve been a member for 55 years and I’m still fascinated by Chicago’s history. I became a member after I rented a room to host an event at the Chicago History Museum and was immediately charmed by the building and the staff.

The Chicago History Museum is a fantastic resource. One of my favorite Chicago museums. I appreciated how easy it was to take my elderly parents to the museum (its accessible/easy to navigate if you're not especially mobile), and it was something that we can all enjoy together.

I am a member of the Chicago History Museum because I am a second generation native Chicagoan. My father was born on Germania Place only a short distance from CHM's current location. He had a lot of stories about the city in his youth and because of this I became interested in Chicago history.

Chicago History Museum.
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