The Chicago Historical Society was founded in 1856, and the Chicago History Museum contains a wealth of information and fascinating exhibits on such things as Chicago's early settlers, the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the Democratic Convention (and riots) of 1968 and Abraham Lincoln's presidency. The museum is top-notch. If you want to learn more about how Chicago became Chicago, this is the place to go.

The Chicago History Museum is stop #3 on our FREE Self-Guided Old Town Walking Tour (see "Tours" section).