A Hidden Chicago Museum: Pritzker Military Library

Chicago has tons of incredible museums. Tourists flood the big ones on a daily basis. But Chicago has so many museums to offer beyond the goliaths at Museum Campus. Last month, with the Chicago Tour-Guide Professionals Association, I got to take a guided tour of a lesser-known Chicago museum, the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. It’s located at Michigan and Monroe, only blocks away from where our Loop Interior Architecture and 1893 World’s Fair Tours conclude. The experience was a very pleasant surprise.

What’s in a Military Museum?

My initial bias was that a military museum and tour would be a stuffy talk of war heroes and pro-military propaganda, so I had prepared to hide my yawns. Instead, the museum tour was filled with fascinating and contemporary history. The displays of art and artifacts can be appreciated by anyone – not just people who geek out about our armed forces. Long time member of the museum staff and our tour guide, Paul Grasmehr, explained that the museum’s focus was on the “citizen soldier,” otherwise known as an average soldier, which helps make the museum so approachable.

The first stop on the tour was an exhibit entitled, “American Icons of the Great War.” Colonel James Pritzker, who founded this Chicago museum and library in 2003, acquired an extensive collection of military artifacts from family generations past that includes original propaganda posters from WWI, some of which are on display in this exhibit. Each poster depicts one of many iconic American commercial symbols, such as the Doughboy, Columbia, or the Christy Girl. The exhibit has clear explanations of the history behind each symbol.

Our guide also shared additional and unexpected stories. My favorite was about Uncle Sam. The image of Uncle Sam has been recreated numerous times and most famously by James Montgomery Flagg for his posters from WWI. What I found so interesting was that Mr. Flagg also used himself as the model for Uncle Sam which immortalized him as this great symbol of American patriotism.

pritzker military museum and library chicago history
Photo Credit: Jenn Harrman

Touring the Pritzker Military Museum and Library

On my guided tour, I also enjoyed listening to our guide, Paul. He shared personal stories of individual soldiers that helped connect you with the lives of these everyday heroes. I’ll never forget the story of a soldier who was shot and continued to fight, shoeless, for six hours in below-freezing temperatures! This Chicago museum’s collection and exhibition of these military stories is quite impressive. The Pritzker Military Museum and Library also has a state-of-the-art auditorium and sound booth. Here the museum records interviews with veterans as well as medal of honor ceremonies, which are special events open to the public.

Despite the name, this Chicago museum displays far more than just oil paintings and dusty books. I loved the cool, old military-inspired comic books and Walt Disney cartoons. You can even check-out and play military-themed board games right there in the museum. You can also browse the Pritzker’s collection of military propaganda posters for sale as a souvenier. My favorite military poster was this one that promotes “Eat More Cottage Cheese.”

pritzker military library chicago museum war poster
Photo Credit: Jenn Harrman

And then to top it off, the building itself has some great Chicago history and architecture. Known as the Monroe Building, it was completed in 1912 by Holabird and Roche. The penthouse was once home to Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio. Colonel Pritzker has lovingly restored the entire building, including the opulent lobby. Terra cotta tiles from the first female-owned manufacturing company, Rookwood Pottery, cover the lobby. A free exhibit in the lobby shares the story of the recent architectural restoration and the lobby’s terra cotta tiles.

Pritzker military library chicago museum monroe building
Photo Credit: Jenn Harrman

The Pritzker Military museum has so much to see here for only $5.

Jenn Harrman, Tour Guide

Share:

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn

be a
curious
person!

SIGN UP FOR OCCASIONAL UPDATES FROM CHICAGO DETOURS.

Ellen

Private Tour Coordinator and Tour Guide

There is no shortage of things to discover in Chicago—I love being an urban explorer and uncovering its hidden places. I have an MA in Public History from Loyola University Chicago, and I have worked as a museum educator and kindergarten teacher. My desire to learn new things fuels my passion for educating others, which I get to experience every day as a Chicago tour guide. I live in the northern neighborhood of Rogers Park.

“Our guide Ellen was exceptional and gifted with a great personal touch.”
Robert
GetYourGuide

Jen

Tour Guide

Whether you are a first-time visitor or a lifelong resident, the vibrant history and modern majesty of Chicago never ceases to amaze. I’m a graduate of Columbia College with an M.A. in Interdisciplinary Art. I’ve worked for many years as an educator at City Colleges of Chicago. As tour guide at Chicago Detours, I integrate my enthusiasm for culture and architecture with my passion as an educator. West Town/Noble Square area is home for me.

“Jen was a perfect storyteller and kept us spellbound for hours.”
Heather
TripAdvisor

Elyse

Tour Guide

With our Chicago neighborhoods, vibrant cultural institutions and nearly two centuries of larger-than-life stories, there’s never a dull moment here! I’m a fifth generation Chicagoan and a graduate of Washington University in St. Louis. In addition to guiding tours, I’m a creative writer and amateur genealogist. I also enjoy the city’s dynamic theater scene. You can also read overlooked stories from 19th-century newspapers on my “Second Glance History” blog. I live in River North.

Anthony

Tour Guide

Chicago is unique as it always evolves into the future while holding on to the past. I’m fascinated by how people latch on to old architecture but happily pave over others. My background is in theater and performance and I’ve been a tour guide here for more than 10 years. Currently I’m finishing my Master’s in Public History at Loyola University because I love to teach the history of this scrappy city. I’m in the Edgewater neighborhood.

Marie

Operations Coordinator and Tour Guide

Chicago’s history is so fascinating, you could spend a lifetime uncovering its secrets…I’m willing to give it a try! I have an M.A. in US History from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and then pursued doctoral studies in Urban History at the University of Illinois at Chicago. I love to learn new aspects of Chicago’s rich history and then share my knowledge as a tour guide with Chicago Detours. I live in Ravenswood.

“Marie was a bubbling fountain of information and contagious enthusiasm.”
Lorit
TripAdvisor

Sonny

Operations Coordinator and Tour Guide

As a fourth generation Chicagoan, I have been living and loving Chicago by bike, on foot, public transit or automobile. I am a graduate of UIC where through the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs, began my eagerness to understand the nature, history and impacts of urban planning and development. It is incredibly rewarding to give back to this wonderful city by helping out in the office of Chicago Detours. I live in the incredibly diverse neighborhood of Albany Park.
“Sonny was extremely knowledgeable about all things Chi-town.”
Wade K
TripAdvisor

Alex

Content Manager and Tour Guide

Chicago has so many neighborhoods, buildings, and by-ways that it’s hard to go long without seeing something new, or something familiar from a new angle. I studied Cinema History for my M.A. from the University of Chicago. I’ve worked as a culture writer for various publications and as an educator of the humanities at the City Colleges of Chicago. I’m thrilled to share my love of this city’s busy past and unique architectural spaces with Chicago Detours. I live in the Chicago neighborhood of Lincoln Park.

“Alex was fascinating to listen to. He clearly knows his history and it shows.”
Katie K
Yelp

Amanda Scotese

Executive Director and Tour Guide

I’m an interpreter of personal stories from the past and the city’s landscape. I love to imagine what originally happened inside old unmarked buildings, and what forces have shaped their design. I studied Chicago history, architectural history, and anything Chicago-related through my M.A. in the Humanities at the University of Chicago. My love for stories was enriched by my B.A. in Literature from the University of Michigan. I’ve written travel articles for publications like Rick Steves’ Italy best-selling travel guides, the San Francisco Bay Guardian, and The Chicago Food Encyclopedia. I live in the Chicago neighborhood of West Avondale.
“You can TELL Amanda is hyper-passionate about doing the research and getting the story that nobody’s heard before.”
Shelby F
Yelp

Book a chicago event

Let’s Connect!