Chicago’s Many Museums Draw Visitors from Across the Nation

11/22/2020 (Permalink)

Chicago has many attractions for all to enjoy!

Educators Are Not the Only People Who Enjoy the Exhibits and Galleries in Chicago’s Museums 

The current pandemic has caused the closure of many different businesses, as well as the cancellation of many events in not only Chicago but also all over the U.S. We want to assure you that several museums reopened, with additional ones opening soon.  

However, health measures require reduced-capacity to help us maintain social distancing. Calling ahead and confirming the entry information, such as reserving a time slot, mask-wearing, or early closure, minimizes any problems that might otherwise affect your visit.  

An unexpected benefit of the pandemic is free or significantly reduced admission for those with active EBT cards. An organization, Museums4All, has a list of over 500 museums admitting up to four people on one card at a time. Not all of the museums listed below are on this list, so please call about admission requirements. (A bonus is that both the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Shedd Aquarium are also on the list!) 

Piquing Your Interest and Curiosity 

Your interests, hobbies, or career can make some museums more attractive than other ones to you. You might want to visit one to open up a new world to your children or to see what your field discovered and built upon to grow into the industry as it is today. The areas covered by Chicago’s museums are far-ranging, including: 

• Chicago’s topography, native citizens, and contributions,
• Natural history, archeology, anthropology,
• Medicine and healthcare, 
• Politics and government, and
• Technology, science, engineering. 

Visiting the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum gives patrons an inside look at Chicago’s unusual bridges. Our rivers, the Skokie, Chicago, and the Grand Calumet, in addition to several creeks, helped Chicago grow. This interesting topic is expanded beautifully for patrons. 

At the Bridgehouse, patrons can see how the gears work to move the bridges and get a panoramic view of the city. Call (312) 977-0227 for hours, tour information, and answers to your questions.  

The Field Museum is open to patrons and also participates in reduced admission through the Museums4All program. Covering an enormous number of topics, this museum has something for everyone. From ecology to architecture and dinosaur bones to ancient civilizations, the Field Museum satisfies the curious.  

Call (312) 922-9410 for information on entrance requirements, galleries, and scheduled activities and events.  

The International Museum of Surgical Science shows the twisted, bumpy trail of healthcare from ancient times to today. Even though the purpose has always been to alleviate pain and cure disease, finding the best approach to helping patients has not always been fruitful and without accidents.  

A quick call to (312) 642-6502 can tell you if any of the next few Tuesdays are free admission, if reservations are currently required, and other details that make a tour of the museum much more worthwhile. As a Museums4All member, presenting an EBT card results in free admission for up to four people. 

The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center features an exhibit on Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, including robes and jabots for patrons to wear. Many aspects of her life outside of the Court are also shown, making others, especially young women, see her achievements as something they can also accomplish.  

Notorious RBG’s exhibit, like many other exhibits, is only open during specific hours. You can reach the museum regarding hours, entrance fees, and additional pertinent information by calling (847) 967-4800. 

Visitors to the Museum of Science and Industry have an enormous number of exhibits to choose from, despite several remaining shut down to help us fight the pandemic. A hands-on approach plays a role in many areas of the museum and ranges from basics like chicks to the intensely complex robotics that plays a role in shaping our future. 

Another Museums4All museum, visitors presenting either an EBT card or a WIC card, plus photo ID, can enter free of charge, for two adults and six children. Call (773) 684-1414 for current information, including upcoming exhibits and requirements for entry. 

Unexpected Dangers Inside Chicago’s Fire-Damaged Buildings Pose Increased Risks to Human Safety 

Although many of the materials used in buildings were chosen to ensure safety, science discovered that some materials create health hazards. Asbestos, a fibrous mineral, comes to mind. While a completely natural material, it can cause serious health effects in those living or working in homes or buildings containing it.  

This insulating material can become exposed during a fire by charring and breaking wood or walls, ceilings, and floors. Special handling must occur during the removal of asbestos without extenuating circumstances that we see in fire damage mitigation and restoration. Things become much more complicated with asbestos. SERVPRO deals with asbestos and other hazardous materials, including lead paint, according to federal and local regulations. 

Fire restoration involves the removal of other toxic substances produced during the fire. Smoke, soot, and ash distribute odor throughout an entire building because of its presence in ventilation systems. Our HVAC technicians clean and seal ducts and vents to protect occupants from the damaging particles.  

SERVPRO of Hyde Park / E. Bridgeport / Bronzeville is always ready to help other businesses after a fire. Reopening requires the establishment of safe conditions, including an absence of odors. Our technicians are highly trained and always ready to minimize your downtime as much as possible. Call us at (312) 509-5000 to get started on fire damage restoration and mitigation