Renovation of Original 1893 Building The Art Institute of Chicago is undertaking a major construction project designed to renovate and update various elements of its well-known original Allerton building (1893), located at Michigan Avenue and Adams Street. The project has a number of facets intended to improve the 106-year-old historic structure and to enhance universal access to the building. Beginning in FY99 the Art Institute has received public museum capital grant funding for renovation including: entrance ramps and re-glazed entry doors to expand accessibility; Fullerton Auditorium resoration; expansion of lobby and checkroom; and the stabilization of lions. V i e w the Construction Schedule

On June 14, 2001, Brookfield Zoo opened the Hamill Family Play Zoo, a revolutionary new concept in zoo experiences for families. The Play Zoo is a unique adventure where children and their families can play and interact with animals, plants, and people to help develop caring attitudes toward the natural world. In this technological age, where children have frequent exposure to computers and television, the Play Zoo is an effort to bring them back to a simpler world and help parents and other caregivers rediscover the magic and importance of play in nature.

Addition of Exhibits Space and Development of Exhibits
The first phase of this museum capital grant project saw the museum construct a 40,000 square foot addition and install the first phase of exhibits for paleontology and Native American areas.
The second phase of improvements has augmented the current expansion and enhanced the educational value of the exhibits. In addition, adding more hands-on and audio components to the exhibits will increase accessibility for children and visually imparied or non reading museum visitors.
The Biology and Geology Exhibits are being completed with the assistance of museum capital grant funds.

V I S I T the Burpee Museum and view their progress toward completion -- Out of the Rock: A Prehistoric Journey

The Enabling Garden Complex
The new teaching garden for people of all abilities is equipped with state-of-the-art features including raised and vertical garden beds, water features specifically designed for people with disabilities, exhibits of specialized tools, and more. The new garden includes an outdoor classroom for workshops and horticultural therapy programs and an Interpretive Center providing information, tools, equipment, and instructional materials that make gardening accessible to everyone. This project was completed with the assistance of Museum Capital Grant funds.

Chicago Children's Museum, Chicago

Dinosour Discovery: Linking Museums, Schools, Families and Communities
Dinosaur Discovery features a 37 foot replica of Suchominus tenerensis, Dr. Paul Sereno's 1997 discovery during a dig in the Sahara Desert. The complementary exhibit Dinosaur Expedition allows visitors of all ages to acquire a semblance of the experience of the actual dig in a sub-saharan climate. Public museum operating grant funds provided assistance in creating educational programming surrounding this exhibition. Like the team, visitors and students dig for bones in an excavation pit, repair them in the Dinosaur Sculpting Laboratory, and cast replicas at the Casting Station. Through these activities, visitors begin to experience the excitement of discovery.

V I S I T Dinosour Expedition:

Enhanced Learning Opportunities for DuPage County
Assistance from the museum operating grant program has helped the DuPage County Historical Museum to develop pre and post-visit materials that will be used in enhancing the museum's school programming and extending students' learning experiences beyond the one-time museum visit. This project involved the museum staff working with a Teacher Advisory Committee to evaluate the materials. Revisions were made taking into consideration the teachers' recommendations and following the Illinois Learning Standards set by the Illinois State Board of Education. The publication will be distributed to teachers from the many diverse communities throughout Dupage County.The materials take into account multi-learning styles while using many hands-on activities to help teachers share DuPage County history and make it come alive for their students. With teachers using these packets, students can develop a familiarity of county history, which helps them maximize learning during their museum visit. It also allows the learning process to continue in the classroom after leaving the museum building.
NOTE: The DuPage County Historical Museum was awarded an Honorable Mention at the 2001 American Association of Museums Conference for this project "Pioneers and Early Settlers in DuPage County" Pre and Post Visit Materials for Elementary School. Teachers.
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The LaSalle Expedition

This exhibit explores changes in the environment and population along the route used by LaSalle (1682) and LaSalle: Expedition II (1976) with special emphasis on the Illinois segment of these voyages. The museum chose the LaSalle Expedition as the vehicle for this exhibition because LaSalle: Expedition II originated in Elgin, Illinois. A group of high school teachers, adults, and students made their own 17th century gear and reenacted LaSalle's entire voyage from Canada, through the Great Lakes, across Illinois and down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico. An entire room has the appearance of an area along the Illinois River in the 17th century, and the text rail contains photographs from the Expedition II voyage. Public Museum Capital Grant funds assisted this project.

The "Sue" Exhibit
This capital grant project included preparation and exhibition of a rare Tyrannosaurus rex fossil dating back 65 million years. The new "SUE" exhibit will use technology to explain the history of the animal and plant environment and will engage audiences on these subjects with a wide array of innovative and interactive presentations and displays. "Sue" opened to the public in May, 2000.

"World Wide Waters" Educational Contact Center The Center opened in May, 2001. The project included the renovation of a vacant structure and under-utilized exhibit area into an indoor/outdoor educational center. A freshwater pond was added to the conservation area introducing a new ecological system to the zoo. By using a unifying theme of "World Wide Water" - these new areas are tied into existing exhibits and educational programs.

VISIT the... GLEN OAK ZOO AND Meet Boomer

The MFACM is the nation's largest Latino cultural institution and the first and only Latino museum accredited by the American Association of Museums. By attracting over 100,000 visitors a year and over 950 school/tour groups, the Museum has become a pillar of cultural pride in the heart of Chicago's Pilsen/Little Village Mexican communities. Another significant feature to the Gala will be the opening of Mexicanidad,a unique exhibit that will be the first ever to trace the development of Mexican art, culture, religion, history and politics through a historical and thematic outline of Mexico. In addition, Mexicanidad will focus on the Mexican cultural and historical experiences of those living in the United States.

TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR OF THE COMPLETED EXPANSION PROJECT at the MEXICAN FINE ARTS CENTER MUSEUM, CHICAGO

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Museum Center Infrastructure Improvements and Renovation
Museum capital grant funds assisted Midway Village in the design and installation of new HVAC equipment to provide better care of collections and exhibits. Midway Village was also able to renovate classroom and meeting space, as well as expand the museum store.

ENTERPRISE With the assistance of museum capital grant funds, MSI developed the Enterprise exhibit for visitors to learn about enterprise and experience the world of business by providing an opportunity to visit and participate in the activities of a company. Visitors of all ages are aquainted with the excitement, challenges, and opportunities faced by people in the global world of business and management. Further, visitors and students have a chance to become involved in some aspect of business decision-making.

Enterprise Exhibit

Dr. Bonnie Styles, Associate Director for Science & Education Dr. R. Bruce McMillan, Director, Illinois State Museum

Visitors involved in the exhibit. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Science and Industry

Earth Shelter Interpretive Center

Museum capital grant funds assisted in the construction of the new Interpretive Center. The Center includes classroom space, laboratory facilities, propagation room, offices, storeroom, reference library, and public restrooms. The facility will serve as an interpretive center and educational classroom making use of the adjacent Oak Park Conservatory and its unique historic botanical collection.

© Illinois State Museum -- Last updated Aug-28-2001