Chicago History Museum's '1968 Exhibit' Provides Informative Look at an Important Year -- Museum Exhibit Review

Exhibition Review

The 1968 Exhibit

Chicago History Museum

Thru January 4

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I was only around for 77 days, 4 hours and 19 minutes of 1968, and I remember absolutely none of it.

Despite this, and well beyond it being the year I entered the world, I have long been aware of the importance of 1968.

Few years have ever been as tumultuous, or contained as many massively newsworthy events--even just from a United States perspective.

So for reasons with rather little to do with my personal connection--though I can't deny the inborn affinity abetted my interest--I was intrigued to see The 1968 Exhibit at the Chicago History Museum.

I was happy to time my late 2014 visit with a Bank of America Museums on Us weekend, which allows their customers free entry to participating institutions nationwide, but my friend Dave--who as a non-BofA customer paid the regular $14 fee for full museum access including all special exhibits--also voiced his pleasure with the 1968 show, finding it well-worth his time and money.

Many of the year's most momentous events were lowlights rather than highlights--the ongoing Vietnam War, the death of 17,000 U.S. soldiers in it (in '68), the protests against it, the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy, the tempestuous Democratic National Convention in Chicago--and informative displays covered all of these with nice depth, short of an imposing plethora of wall text.

From an actual helicopter used in Vietnam to the camera that captured the most iconic image of RFK's death to shoes worn by civil rights leader Ralph Abernathy in the company of MLK, the exhibit--a traveling show organized by the Minnesota History Center in partnership with the CHM and two other museums--features several compelling artifacts that amplify the monthly timelines chronicling the year's big events.

Short but informative videos address the King assassination and its aftermath, and the DNC and accompanying protests, with other interactive offerings available on demand for those desiring greater depth on the timeline events.

From Cesar Chavez to the Poor People's Protest to the Black Power salute by Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the Olympics, many additional socially significant touchstones are covered.

But the show also portrays the lighter side of 1968, though not without noting how the war, protests, riots and assassinations wove through the music, movies and television of the times.

Just some of the memorabilia I enjoyed seeing--and freely photographing--includes articles of clothing worn by Jimi Hendrix, Mr. Rogers and Catfish Hunter, who pitched a perfect game for the nascent Oakland A's on May 18.

While not all that much was truly revelatory about events that have long been well-chronicled--though it was cool to see kids taking in the exhibit, and having a good go at a 1968 music quiz--I was struck by a few things that reflected how different the world was then, but also how similar times are now.

Racial strife and police brutality unfortunately are just as topical today as they were in 1968.

And given our 21st century, 24-hour news, Twitterverse sensibilities, it was jarring to note a panel on RFK that imparted that when he announced his candidacy for President in March 1968--he would be killed on June 5--it came as a surprise to sitting president Lyndon Johnson and the other prime Democratic contender, Eugene McCarthy.

Although it was repeatedly illustrated how Vietnam was the first war to be chronicled on TV, and rather intensively at that, the striking differences of what was meant and effected by mass communication between then and now is just one of the striking between-the-lines the exhibit imparts.

I, and even more so Dave, was familiar with many--though certainly not all--of the events mentioned on each of the monthly timelines. 

But we were both a bit befuddled and bemused by the March 4 citation of the "Linda LeClair Affair," which found Barnard co-ed Linda LeClair disciplined for living off-campus with her boyfriend, thereby "focusing national attention on young people, sexuality, and women's liberation." (Learn more here.)

I certainly get that social mores were quite a bit different in 1968 than they are today. But the Linda LeClair Affair doesn't seem it should have been that big a deal then--and my mom says she doesn't recall ever hearing about it--and given that a Google search primarily brings up related references to Barnard College and "The 1968 Exhibit," it certainly seems (particularly compared to much else that happened that year) to be barely a footnote in history.

Yet still, on some level of appreciating 1968 for the day-to-day lives of those who were conscious for all of it, it--like the exhibit itself--seems worth knowing about.

If you can get to the Chicago History Museum--previously long known as the Chicago Historical Society and located at Clark & North--by January 4 (allowing for one last free weekend for Bank of America customers), it's well worth taking a trip back in time to the year of my birth. 

(More 1968 Exhibit photos below. To learn more visit the museum and exhibit websites.)

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There is always something that can be learned from the Chicago History Museum's permanent collection, though I've found it a bit less interactive than ideal. 

But as a long-term "temporary" exhibit, I highly recommend Vivian Maier's Chicago, a photo gallery of a terrific photographer essentially unknown during her lifetime. The excellent documentary, Finding Vivian Maier--not part of the CHM exhibit but one of the best movies I've seen this year--can provide great background on this unique artist. 

And for those who love fashion, Chicago Styled: Fashioning the Magnificent Mile, which showcases several nifty dresses sold in shops along North Michigan Avenue over the years, is well worth a gander.

Below are some additional photos I took in The 1968 Exhibit:

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A Freely Worthwhile Visit of Historical Significance

Museum Recap

Chicago History Museum
Visited February 9, 2013
Special Exhibits seen:
Shalom Chicago; Vivian Maier's Chicago

I love Chicago and relish exploring its rich history, so one might assume that I’m a big fan of the Chicago History Museum (formerly known at the Chicago Historical Society).

Yes and no.

I appreciate the CHM’s raison d’être and there certainly is a whole lot to learn and explore within its halls, whether you are a longstanding local or a first-time visitor to Chicago. But as I expressed in this 2010 review, the history museum could really use a good deal of modernization. I recommend much more in the way of interactive exhibits and videos offering user-friendly insights on topics such as The Great Chicago Fire, the 1893 Columbian Exposition, Chicago architecture, Al Capone, the Blues, Michael Jordan, Chicago-style pizza and more.

As such, I’d be hard-pressed to suggest that—unless there’s a terrific temporary exhibition—a visit to the Chicago History Museum is worth its standard $14 adult admission charge.

But especially if you can take advantage of Free Admission for Illinois Residents through the end of February, as well as on Monday, March 4—the CHM is also part of Bank of America’s Museums on Us program, offering free admission for B of A customers the first full weekend of every month—I think you might enjoy checking out a couple of nice temporary exhibits, as well as parts of the permanent collection. Like I did last Saturday.

Shalom Chicago is an exhibit that sheds light on the history of Jewish people and communities in Chicago, explaining how initially German Jews came to the city in the late 19th century, followed by considerably larger numbers of Eastern European Jews.

The exhibit primarily focuses on a handful of prominent Jewish residents, including those who founded notable synogogues and stores. A short film on Bessie Abramowitz, a button sewer who led a garment workers strike in 1910, was particularly interesting.

Overall, Shalom Chicago is solid, but short of spectacular or terrifically insightful. I was expecting it to provide more depth about topics such as the Maxwell Street market and explain when and why Jews migrated from the West Side to Rogers Park to Skokie and suburbs beyond.

As such, it was beneficial to partake of a docent-led tour of the exhibit, who was able to provide information beyond that which was posted on the display panels. (Check with the museum about tour schedules.)

Also well worth a look as part of a free visit—and like Shalom Chicago, running through the Summer—is a creatively-designed exhibit on a photographer named Vivian Maier.

As opposed to most photography exhibits that display same-size framed photos, Vivian Maier’s Chicago had several panels of oversized square pictures, complemented by film-roll-like sequences of Maier’s photo series—shown little bigger than Polaroid size—wrapping around the gallery walls.

As evidenced by many of the show’s best pictures, Maier—an amateur

street photographer who pursued her passion around work as a nanny—had a real gift for capturing everyday people in a way that conveyed universal scenarios and emotions.

You can learn more about the exhibit here—which includes a link to see a selection of Maier’s photos—but while the single-gallery display isn’t extensive enough to justify paying the museum’s full admission, the content and curation of Vivian Maier’s Chicago does suggest it be seen in person. 

If you go, the CHM’s permanent collection is worth a walkthrough. The displays don’t seem much altered or augmented since my visit nearly 3 years ago, but you are again able to see the bed upon which Abraham Lincoln died.

Other Abe artifacts, including a life mask, can also be seen along with a gallery called Lincoln’s Chicago.

On March 16, a new temporary exhibit called Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair will open at the Chicago History Museum.

Perhaps if I can arrange to see it on a Free Day, I will.

Chicago History Museum Needs To Rewrite Its Future

Museum Review

Chicago History Museum
Visited May 3, 2010
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On Monday, after some business to attend to in downtown Chicago, I made a point of stopping at the Chicago History Museum on my way northward.

It had been quite awhile since I visited the building on North & Clark formerly known as the Chicago Historical Society, at which I had enjoyed some special exhibitions in the past. Although I could have gone for free on the first weekend of May as part of Bank of America's Museums on Us program for customers, I had noted that all Mondays are free at the History Museum, so though I couldn't get there until about 3:00pm and closing time is at 4:30pm, I figured I'd see what I could and perhaps visit again.

But while I enjoyed some of what I saw and valued learning a bit more about various famous events in Chicago's past--such as the Haymarket Square Riot and 1968 Democratic National Convention--90 minutes was plenty and I'm sure glad I didn't pay the normal $14 adult admission fee.

For despite recently rebranding itself to expand its appeal, the Chicago History Museum just feels woefully stuck in the past. Sure it provides some decent information about a number interesting topics, and certainly justifies an occasional free visit, but there really isn't a whole lot to look at that feels truly compelling.

For instance, I have long been intrigued by Chicago having hosted two World Fairs, particularly the Columbian Exposition of 1893, at which a glorious "White City" was constructed on Chicago's south side, but destroyed by fire soon thereafter (the Museum of Science and Industry occupies the only remaining building). This topic is covered at the CHM in a few panels of text and photos, and a couple small artifacts like the "I Will" bust above. In this digital age, why not have a virtual White City created, so that visitors can get a real sense of this magnificent moment in Chicago's past? Or at the very least have a physical model built?

Chicago's relatively short but quite deep history in the realms of architecture, music, theater, television and sports are also covered in rather tepid displays, with almost nothing providing an "Oh, wow!" moment.

Sure, there was a Playboy Bunny outfit--the first service uniform to be registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark office--and a Schwinn bicycle and a couple lesser Frank Lloyd Wright art glass windows and a police helmet from the 1968 DNC riots, but would it be so hard to let visitors try their hand at Bozo Buckets, play old Bally Pinball Machines or even watch a collection of Michael Jordan highlights? Or how about having an interactive Chicago Gangster (and/or Politician) Hall of Shame? And given Chicago's great diversity, how about computerized displays highlight the various neighborhoods and communities, coupled perhaps with a concession stand featuring food of various ethnic origins?

Theoretically, I have no problem with history being primarily something that should be read about, but with half the world now able to access Wikipedia and the entire Web on their cell phones, and therefore capable of instantly learning far more about any subject covered in museum display text without reading any of it, the Chicago History Museum really has to figure out how to "engage" 21st century visitors.

There are currently two new exhibitions going on; one is a roomful of nothingness about the Lincoln Park area while the other, a multimedia presentation called My Chinatown, sounded promising but runs every 18 minutes with no indication of exact start times, so unless you happen to be at the auditorium doors at just the right moment, you can't see it (which I didn't).

The most famous relic in the museum's collection--Abraham Lincoln's death bed--is currently inaccessible. All the more reason not to pay $14.

I did enjoy seeing what an old 'L' car looked like, learning a bit about Fort Dearborn and discovering why Chicago is so named (it comes from an Indian word meaning wild onion).

But my favorite piece of previously unbeknownst trivia was that the birth control pill was patented and first marketed by Searle, in my hometown of Skokie.

Interestingly, this bit of information was paired with a panel about another Chicago scientific breakthrough: the first nuclear chain reaction--created by Enrico Fermi and others at the University of Chicago in 1942-- which made the atomic bomb possible.

Tellingly, with deference to the significant amount of knowledge it can impart to visitors of all ages and the value of free admission Mondays, the Chicago History Museum really needs to be newly conceived. For right now, on an acute enjoyment level, it's a bit of a bomb.