History Wed Jul 01 2015

July 4th Celebration at Chicago History Museum Features Chicago Film Premiere and New Facilities

By Jen Kraakevik

Face painting, speeches, musical performances, crafts and other all-American activities are on the agenda for the Fourth of July celebration at the Chicago History Museum from 10am to noon Saturday.

Afternoon events at the History Museum will include a premiere of the film The Great Chicago Adventure in the renovated Robert R. McCormick Theater. Visitors can explore a wall-to-wall map of Chicago and other interactive art pieces in the grand opening of the Guild Gallery. President Gary T. Johnson said in a press release. "We couldn't pick a better day to showcase these fantastic new experiences that celebrate Chicago's place in American history."

The schedule of events this Saturday:

10am: Outdoor activities on Uihlein Plaza on the east side of the CHM building

10:45am: Children's parade led by the World's Tallest Uncle Sam

11am: Opening remarks by Gary T. Johnson, the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance. Reading of Declaration of Independence by Ellie Danisch and Othel Owen (stars of The Great Chicago Adventure).

11:20am: Keynote address by Ronald J. Gidwitz, Chicago investor and former president and CEO of Helene Curtis Industries

12pm: Program ends and museum opens to the public with free admission for Illinois residents.

An afternoon highlight will be the grand opening of the Naphtali ben Yakov Pritzker American History wing. The new experiences involving the theater and new Guild Gallery focus on renovated versions of the history of Chicago. The newly opened Guild Gallery will present a display on the meaning of the city's flag and a touch-screen interactive exhibit called The Fifth Star Challenge. Participants can choose from 40 events and historical sites to try to add the next star in the Chicago flag. The display includes a wall-to-wall map of Chicago with key details such as historical sites, notable citizens and significant events.

The Robert R. McCormick Theater now has state-of-the-art 4K digital projection, new seating and surround sound speakers. The theater has a handicapped-accessible podium with ramp access to the stage and wheelchair-accessible seating.

The new film, The Great Chicago Adventure, will be shown in the McCormick Theater. The film features Ellie Danisch and Othel Robert Owen as two kids leading the viewers through Chicago's history. The film takes participants through Maxwell Street, the Loop and sports and political victories in Grant Park and other locations around the city. It includes family-friendly stories of the Great Chicago Fire and the World's Columbian Exposition. The 23-minute film, created by Chicago producer AnswersMedia, will run every 30 minutes during regular museum hours.

The Chicago History Museum was founded in April 1856 as the Chicago Historical Society. The museum features more than 22 million artifacts and documents available for research, education and public programming.

The History Museum is located at 1601 N. Clark St. Most July 4 events take place on Uihlein Plaza on the east side of the building. Regular museum hours are Monday through Saturday, 9:30am to 4:30pm, and Sunday, noon to 5pm. For more information, call 312-642-4600 or visit their website.