Museum Campus

By now I hope you signed up for a Chicago Greeter Visit (1/1/2016 post), took the tour of the Cultural Center (1/8/2016 post) and enjoyed the parks along Michigan Avenue and Lake Michigan (1/15/2016 post). Now let’s go to the Museum Campus.
 
This peninsula is home to 3 museums: The Field Museum of Natural History, the John G. Shedd Aquarium, and the Adler Planetarium. Also located there is Soldier Field where our Chicago Bears have been playing (American-style) football since 1971 and the park Northerly Island. The Museum Campus is considered the end of Chicago’s Cultural Mile. (More about that next week.)
 
The museums provide the opportunity to explore outer space (the Planetarium) inner space (the Aquarium) and time and space (the Field Museum of Natural History). While an admission fee is required in most cases (but not all) for each of these venues, there are lots of things to do and see that are free for all.
 
Admission in all 3 venues is free for children under 3 years of age; children 12 and above pay adult fees. Student and senior discounted admissions are available. Purchasing a CityPass can be a bargain. It allows admission to 5 city attractions including those on the Museum Campus. Do the math to make sure it makes financial sense for you.
 
Illinois residents with a valid State ID pay a discounted admission fee daily and are admitted free on selected days throughout the year. Check each website for the Illinois Discount Days.
 
Also, for Bank of America and Merrill Lynch customers, your debit or credit card gets you free admission on the first full weekend each month at the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium.

To get to the Museum Campus by foot, head to Roosevelt Road then walk east.  Watch for the signs at Columbus Drive directing you to the pedestrian tunnel under Lake Shore Drive. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates 2 bus lines to the Museum Campus from downtown. Of course you can use a taxi or other rideshare program. Parking is limited and expensive.

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As you emerge from the tunnel the first building on your right is the Field Museum of Natural History. 
 
The Field Museum dates back to 1893, but has been at the current location since 1921. Today it is home of “Sue” the largest and most complete skeleton of a Taranisaurus Rex dinosaur in the world. Walk inside for a glimpse of Sue in the main hall. You can see her from the outer lobby before the ticket booths. Before you peak inside, look to the right of the building to see a replica of a 75’ Brachiosaurus. It's a great photo opportunity.

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​The building's neoclassical design takes inspiration from ancient Greet and ancient Roman architecture and includes the pediment (triangle) over the door and the ionic columns at the entrance. Look for this symbol on and around the building.

Two other pieces of interest can be found near the north entrance to the museum.  Directly in front is the Big Beaver Totem. This is a contemporary totem pole made in the traditional way and it tells the story of the artist's (Norman Tait) ancestors of the Nisga'a Tsimshian group adopting the beaver as their clan symbol.  Located on the northeast corner of the museum is a replica of Olemc Head #8 a gift from the government of Veracruz, Mexico.
 
The Field Museum’s interactive online presence includes “daily content and fun...like Mammal Mondays and Insect of the Week, photos and behind-the-scenes videos, trivia questions, and the opportunity for you to voice your opinions, ask questions, share your own photos and memories and meet your fellow citizen scientists". You can get up-to-the-minute Museum news and information:  follow them on Facebook, Twitter, SUE the T.rex, Foursquare, Vimeo, Flickr, Tumblr.

Emily Graslie is the Museum’s Chief Curiosity Correspondent. You will want to follow her blog and subscribe to her YouTube channel “The Brain Scoop”.
 
If you plan to visit the museum, download floor plans, maps and the scavenger hunt from the Field Museum website. The maps are available in 9 languages. Once inside, be sure to ask at the information desk or check the online calendar about the free, docent-guided tours given every day.
 
You can explore the museum online for free by downloading the App for IPhone and Android.  It is loaded with tours, highlights and quizzes.

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 As you leave the north entrance of the Museum, look to your right toward the east and the next building is the Shedd Aquarium.
 
The Shedd Aquarium opened in 1930 becoming the only inland facility of its kind with both salt and freshwater habitats. Today it is the home of 32,000 aquatic animals.
  
The building is constructed of white marble and terra cotta and adorned with decorative aquatic motifs.  Look for the wave and shell details on the building and Neptune’s trident on the top of the glass dome.
 
On their website you will find "10 Fun Finds" including: Holiday Ten Fun Finds, Halloween Ten Fun Finds, Shedd Highlights - All-Access, For Tots, Oceanarium Discoveries, Staying Alive: Animal Adaptations, Cool Moves: Animal Movement, Disguises for Hiding: Animal Camouflage and  Make Your Own Map! You can follow the Aquarium on social media including Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, YouTube, Instagram, Flickr and their blog. Don’t forget to sign up for their enewsletter.
 
Walk around the Aquarium to the right (south). Since you’ve already taken a selfie with a dinosaur, why not take one with a larger-than-life "Man and Fish" by the south side of the Aquarium. This is one of the speaking statues in the Statue Stories Chicago program. (1/15/2016 post) Look for the red, white and blue sign near the statue then use your smartphone to scan the QR code and wait for the statue to call your phone. I think you will enjoy what he has to say; he has a great sense of humor.

As you walk around the Aquarium enjoy the series of gardens. These include the Welcome Garden, Wetlands, Dune Habitat, Low-maintenance garden, Food and Flower Garden, Animal Display, Backyard Vegetable Garden, Urban Vegetable Garden, Urban Garden, Rain Garden, Organic Lawn, Gardening for Wild Life and Gardening for Birds. On the signs you can scan the QR codes to learn more abut each green space. You will often see the gardeners out and about. They love to answer questions and talk about their gardens. 

Continue walking around the Shedd and take the ramp on your left down to the walkway along the lake. There are 2 levels of the path from which to choose to walk to the last museum, the Adler Planetarium I would avoid walking on the lower level when the waves are high and/or during winter months. The walkway can be slippery and dangerous.
 
If you are here during the month of April between 7 PM (15:00) and 1 AM (01:00), you are in luck.  It’s smelt season! Since the 1930’s avid fishermen (and women) head to the Museum Campus to throw their nets into the lake hoping to catch their limit of these little fish. Some bring grills to cook and eat their catch on the spot. Go watch these sportspeople. They are friendly and love to talk about their years fishing for smelt. Maybe they will offer you a taste.

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Take some time to gaze at the best view of the beautiful Chicago skyline. Can you find the Willis Tower, Trump International Hotel and Tower, the AON Center and the John Hancock buildings? Look for Navy Pier and the Ferris Wheel. (Did you know the world's first ferris wheel was built in Chicago in 1893?) I think the best time to catch this view is 30 – 60 minutes before sunset. You see the city in the daylight, watch the sun set behind the buildings and see the lights of the city come up as it gets dark. You won’t want to miss this!
 
The museum at the end of the point is the Adler Planetarium known as the “classroom under the heavens”. It opened the same year as the Aquarium, 1930, becoming the first planetarium in the Western Hemisphere.
  
Near the entrance to the Planetarium are several pieces of art. To the north (left) is a sundial called Sundial Man Enters the Cosmos by Sir Henry Moore and on the south (right) is Spiral Galaxy, A Work in Progress by John David Mooney.
 
Walk all the way around the Planetarium.  The original building has 12 sides, one for each of the signs of the zodiac. Can you name them all and find your sign? Sorry, some of the sides are covered by the new addition on the rear of the building.
 
You can follow the Planetarium on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube and and sign up for email blasts. Also, give the them a call at 1-312-922-7827 and press 7 to get a recorded message of what to look for in the night sky each night.
 
On very special occasions the Doane telescope, a classical Cassegrain reflector, is open to the public. Another program offered through the Planetarium is 'Scopes in the City. Staff members travel throughout Chicagoland setting up telescopes and making presentations about the night sky. Check their calendar on the website for the free events.

Periodically, members of the Chicago Astronomer club set up their telescopes outside the Planetarium. and host Public Star Parties. The public is invited to take a look and see what they are gazing at in the night sky. Currently their website is under construction, but you can also join their forum. There you can sign up for email notifications of events and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

Walking west from the Adler Planetarium along Solidarity Drive are a series of monuments. On the plaza directly in front of the building is the statue of Nicolaus Copernicus and facing him is a set of 12 bronze animal heads called Circle of Animals/Zodia Heads. This piece was sculpted by contemporary Chinese artist Ai Weiwei and each animal represents a figure in the Chinese zodiac. Along the way you will also pass  Karel Havlicek and Thaddeus Kosciuzsko.
 
To the south of the Adler Planetarium (and past the parking lot) sits the 91 acre (about 37 hectares) Northerly Island. 

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Now a peninsula, as an island it was the site of the Century of Progress the 2nd world’s fair held in Chicago in 1933 and 1934. After World War II it was proposed as a site for the United Nations. From 1947 to 1996 a small airport called Meigs Field served small private planes. Today, it is a park dedicated to nature.
 
The park's boardwalk and trails wind through a series of natural habitats including the wet prairie, mesic prairie, savannah, pond, marsh and lacustrine. Looking south is a view of Indiana and the southern border of Lake Michigan. From here you have another breathtaking vista during the day and after dark, but keep in mind, the park closes at 11 PM (23:00).
 
From November to April the park's fieldhouse is open on weekends. During the rest of the year it is open daily from 9 AM (9:00) to 5 PM (12:00). Staff can answer questions about the park’s habitats and offer information on a “discovery tour” of the parkland.
 
Northerly Island is also the home of the FirstMerit Bank Pavilion, a concert venue. While the events are ticketed, if you stroll out that way on a concert night, you can usually enjoy the sounds of the music from the park for free.

Northerly Island forms the east side of Burnham Harbor one of 10 harbors along the Chicago lakefront.
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Along the west side of the harbor is the Gold Star Families Memorial and Park a place honoring Chicago Police Officers who died in the line of duty. The north and south entrances are flanked by obelisks of the iconic checkerboard design seen on the CPD hats. Look for the gold stars and checkerboard motif throughout the park. The walking paths pass by the “Living Sacrifice” a statue remembering those who suffered catastrophic injuries in the line of duty, the space dedicated to CPD men and women who died while serving in the Armed Forces and the waterfall to Gold Star Families.
 
As you approach Soldier Field walk through the Children’s Garden. Following the paths through the rolling hills will reveal interactive objects referencing the Museum Campus. See how many objects and decorations symbolizing earth, space and science you can find. (Hint: some may be hidden under a blanket of snow in the winter months.)

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Soldier Field was originally built as a facility for sporting events and is the city’s largest memorial to those who served in the Armed Forces. Since its opening in 1924, the stadium has hosted not only athletic events, but concerts, festivals and large group events.

A number of smaller monuments can be found in and around the stadium. At the northwest entrance stands the Veterans’ Memorial "Chicago's Tribute to Freedom". This bas-relief structure depicts men and women in the Armed Services and their families standing along the lakefront with the city skyline in the back. On the opposite side is a quotation from President John F. Kennedy expressing the devotion of the U.S. to support its allies and oppose all enemies. 

Walking up to the northeast entrance is the Memorial Water Wall. In better weather water cascades over 8 medallions and seals representing each branch of the Armed Services. 
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The land surrounding Soldier Field is designed for the public to enjoy in all seasons and is where the Chicago Park District hosts family events throughout the year. You can find the list of Chicago Park District events on their App called My Chi Parks. It is available to download for free from the Apple store and Google Play store.

Before you leave the Museum Campus, go in the south entrance of the Field Museum (across the street from Soldier Field) for another peak inside at "Sue" and other artifacts in the main lobby.
  

As you can see, any time of the year you can enjoy the Museum Campus and now you’know there is always something to explore that is free for all!
 
 
​All information was correct at the time of this post, but before you come, please check the websites to get the most up-to-date information.
  
If you know of a free event in Chicago you’d like me to share, email me at chicagofreeforall@gmail.com
 
Don’t forget to sign up for a free Chicago Greeter visit (1/1/2016 post) at www.chicagogreeter.com
 
Please follow me on Facebook at ChicagoFreeForAll.  Be sure to friend me to get notices of updates to my blog.
 
Next week let’s head back to Michigan Avenue for a stroll along the Chicago Cultural Mile. Until then, I hope to see you in Chicago!