Chicago – 5 Incredible Ancient History Museums and Sites not to Miss!

1) Art Institute of Chicago

• Terrific ancient history museum collection spanning Mesopotamia though Rome, including China and East Asia
• Educators’ Resource Link
• Personal Favorites – Egyptian Temple art and Buddhist and Hindu sculpture
• TIP: The main entrance on Michigan Avenue is often crowded.  Walk around to the north entrance by Millennium Park where there is generally no wait.

2) Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures 

• Formerly called the Oriental Institute at the University of Chicago
• University of Chicago was one of the major US universities to participate in 19th century Near Eastern and north African archeological excavation – they got to bring home their finds – can’t do that anymore!
• Great ancient history museum collection of artifacts, especially from Mesopotamia and Egypt
• Educators’ Resource Link
• Personal Favorites – Life size Hammurabi’s Code replica and collection of Mesopotamian votive statues
• Don’t miss Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House on the University of Chicago campus

Code of Hammurabi Replica

3) Field Museum – Chicago

• The Inside Ancient Egypt ancient history museum exhibit explores the daily lives of ancient Egyptians. Enter through a three-story replica of a mastaba and immerse yourself in two authentic chamber rooms from the burial site of 5th Dynasty Egyptian Pharaoh. Visit a recreated marketplace. See one of the largest collections of mummies in the US. Awe at the 4,000-year-old royal boat that belonged to Pharaoh Senwosret III.
• The Cyrus Tang Hall of China shares artifacts that explore China’s complex history and culture. There’s even an online exhibit!
• The Hall of the Ancient Americas tells the story of the ancient Western Hemisphere civilizations, including Native Americans and the Aztec, Inca, and Maya. Replicas on display include a full-size Aztec Sun Stone and pueblo house.
• Hosts some awesome Traveling Exhibitions – Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs (2006) and the China’s First Emperor and His Terracotta Warriors (2016).
• Educators’ Resource Link
• Personal Favorites – Diorama of mummification process in Inside Ancient Egypt.

4) Chicago Board of Trade Building

• An Art Deco style landmark located in Chicago’s Loop at the foot of the LaSalle Street canyon.
• An aluminum, three-story Art Deco statue of Ceres, Roman goddess of agriculture caps the building.
• Two sculptures grace the CBOT plaza – one Greek goddess represents agriculture and is shown standing with wheat and leaning on a cornucopia. A second Greek goddess represents industry and appears with the bow of a ship and an anvil.

5) Chinatown

• Just off Chicago’s Red Line L-train at the Cermak Stop
• See one of only three 9 Dragon Walls outside of China
• Visit a Buddhist temple
• Feast on a terrific selection of restaurants
• Buy souvenirs and Primary Source materials at lots of shops. Create your own classroom ancient history museum!

Undoubtedly you’ll come away with tons of pictures and ideas for sharing your Primary Source finds with your students. Check out my Primary Source DBQ Blog Post about incorporating Primary Source DBQs into your Middle School classroom!

And if you’d like some Ready-to-go Ancient History Primary Source DBQs, just click HERE.

Here’s a FREE Egypt Hex Puzzle to add to your teacher toolkit!

Happy Travels!

Mary