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The Abakanowicz Research Center now requires visitors to wear masks. We thank you in advance for helping us maintain a safe environment for staff and visitors. Learn more about the Museum’s safety policies and procedures. 

Welcome to the Abakanowicz Research Center

Spring Hours | Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 12:00–3:30 p.m., Saturday: 10:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Summer Hours (Tuesday, May 31–Friday, September 2) | Tuesday–Friday: 12:00–3:30 p.m.

The Abakanowicz Research Center holds the printed material, archives and manuscripts, prints and photographs, architectural drawings, and assorted ephemera of the Chicago History Museum. Explore our Research Collections.

ARC capacity is limited to eight (8) people per day (Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday). To best serve patrons, we will make reservations available one month at a time. Time slots will be made available the week before the start of a new month. Reservations need to be received at least 48 hours in advance and only one admission can be reserved per order. We encourage you to email [email protected] before making a reservation to ensure that an on-site visit is best for your needs. Researchers who have not been able to make their reservation 48 hours in advance are encouraged to email [email protected] to see if they can be accommodated.

The ARC is open on Saturdays through Memorial Day weekend. Reservations will continue to be required Tuesday, Thursday, Friday. Capacity limits currently do not apply to Saturday hours, so no reservations are required that day.

Please note: With the physical renovation complete, we are now returning archival materials to our collections storage facility. Expand to learn how this affects availability of materials.

Select materials will begin to be available again starting in the summer with more available as we approach fall. Please check the “Restrictions” and “Copy/Holdings Information” parts of your search results to determine if the material is available. Books and published materials, prints and photographs, and small manuscript collections remain accessible. Please inquire about audiovisual and architecture items. Questions? Email [email protected]

Make a Reservation

 

Upon successfully registering, you will receive an email confirmation for your selected date. All ARC visitors MUST have this confirmation in order to enter.

Admission

Free. Visitors to the Abakanowicz Research Center are asked to register in advance. We encourage you to email [email protected] before making a reservation to ensure that an on-site visit is best for your needs.

Register Now

Upon successfully registering, you will receive an email confirmation with an order number, which all ARC visitors MUST have in order to enter.

Upon arrival, visitors will be asked to scan their ticket at the Front Desk and check oversized belongings in the Museum’s free coat check. The ARC has free lockers available for bags and coats. Children under 6 will not be admitted.

Quick Links

Guide to the Abakanowicz Research Center

An in-depth guide to the Chicago History Museum’s Abakanowicz Research Center, including hours, access, policies, subject guides, and other useful resources.

ARCHIE Online Catalog

Search ARCHIE for information on the Museum’s holdings that are served through the ARC. Materials described in ARCHIE include manuscripts; books and periodicals; and photographic materials. Please note that while this resource is extensive, it is not exhaustive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can visit the Abakanowicz Research Center?

We are pleased to welcome authors; university and college teachers; independent scholars; photo researchers; members of the press; elementary and secondary school students; undergraduate and graduate students, including PhD candidates; architects; building developers; and family and house historians, among many others. Children under 6 will not be admitted.

How do I page materials?

The majority of our collections are housed outside of the Abakanowicz Research Center. Call slips are available on each table and should be filled out as completely as possible so that staff can retrieve the material. Material will not be paged after 2:30 p.m.

Some material, including color photographs, must be requested at least 48 hours in advance; a note in the catalog record will alert you to this type of restriction. Most of our material is fragile, so please respect the following policies: Pencils only. No food, drink, or gum.

Can I make photocopies or take pictures?

Photocopying Fees
$.50/page
$.25/page for History Fair students
Please note: Photocopies will not be made of city directories, newspapers, scrapbooks, maps, color photographs, and original photographs created prior to 1900. Depending on demand, photocopies may not be available for same-day pick up.

Camera Use Policy
Researchers may photograph most Abakanowicz Research Center material. If you wish to use your camera, please notify a Abakanowicz Research Center staff member upon arrival and plan to review and sign our Camera Use Policy before taking photographs.

What if I'm unable to visit the Abakanowicz Research Center?

If you are unable to visit us in person, there are a number of options available:

   

              

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