Free lectures Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Where: Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, 2430 North Cannon Drive, 773-755-5191. Free admission to lecture includes museum access. All presentations include museum exploration starting at 6pm, with the evening’s presentation beginning at 6:30pm. A cash bar will be available. Read on to learn more and reserve your spot.
Free lectures Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Attend presentations focused around birding and conservation presented in partnership with the Chicago Ornithological Society and the Chicago Audubon Society,
Wind Birds Over the Windy City: Stories of Shorebird Conservation Thursday, November 18, 2021 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM RSVP
Dr. Abby Sterling, a shorebird biologist will highlight some of these incredible shorebird stories, and explain how protecting shorebird habitat at strategically important locations can have positive impacts across the Western Hemisphere.
Timeline of Museum
- 1857 Chicago Academy of Sciences founded. The primary purpose is to preserve plant and animal specimens from the Chicago region and the state. It is Chicago’s oldest Museum.
- 1871 The original building at Wabash and VanBuren, the entire collection, records and library were destroyed by the Chicago Fire. The building had been built in 1868 and was considered fireproof so there was no insurance.
- 1886 The replacement building was lost in foreclosure.
- 1893 The $100k Matthew Laflin Memorial Building (2001 N. Clark) opens and the Museum with a rebuilt collection moves in. The Laflin Building is located in Lincoln Park and is named after the gunpowder and real estate magnate who contributed $75k.
- 1994-1997 The museum moves to temporary digs at North Pier while it’s new building is being built. Lincoln Park Zoo administrative offices relocate into the Laflin Building where they still reside.
- 1999 the Museum was renamed the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum after Mr. Notebaert (CEOof Ameritech) made a $4 miilion dollar donation in honor of their 30th wedding anniversary.
- 1999 New Museum 73,000 square foot building opens.