Easy Access Chicago

Chicago History Museum

 

1601 N. Clark St. (Cross Street: W. North Ave.)
Chicago, Il 60614
Phone Number: (312) 642-4600
www.chicagohistory.org

Newly renovated with exhibits to delight all ages, the Chicago History Museum opens a window onto the city's past and present. Here one can board an 'L' car from the 1890's, see treasures from the World's Fairs of 1893 and 1933 and learn about the many cultures that make up this urban melting pot. With 22 million artifacts and documents in its collection, the museum is also a major research center.

Hours:

  • Mon-Wed 9:30am- 4:30pm
  • Thurs 9:30am-8pm
  • Fri-Sat 9:30am-4:30pm
  • Sun 12pm-5pm

Admission:

  • Please check museum website for current pricing and discounts. Children (12 and under) enter free. On Mondays admission is free.

Parking/Loading Zone

  • Street parking
  • Nearest public parking lot/garage
    • Clark and LaSalle
      • Enter on Stockton
      • Discount with museum validation
      • Cash only

Educational Programs

  • Type
    • Gallery tours
    • Lectures
    • Tours off property
  • Ages served
    • Adults
    • Teens/adolescents
    • Children
  • Disabilities served
    • Mobility
    • Hearing
    • Vision
    • Cognitive
  • Notes:
    • "Sensing Chicago" children's exhibit uses all the senses and accommodates all types of disabilities
    • Boat tours, walking tours and bus tours are wheelchair accessible with advance notice.

Hearing >>  

Features for People with Hearing Loss

  • Assistive listening system
    • Portable FM system for gallery talks
    • Built-in Comtek FM system in auditorium
    • Devices available from coat check
  • Sign language interpretation
    • On request
    • Available for all public programs
    • Call Public Programs Manager, 312-642-4600, at least 48 hours prior to the event.
  • Captioning of videos/films
    • On films and TVs in galleries
  • Strobe alarms in public areas and restrooms
  • Elevator has visual indicators

<< Info Vision >>  

Features for People with Vision Loss

  • Recorded audio tour
    • Languages
      • English
      • Spanish
  • Touch exhibits/tours
    • Use objects from Learning Collections
  • Guided tour/orientation-on request
  • Exhibit labels
    • Large print/high contrast/non-glare
    • Some labels not high contrast
  • Interior signage
    • Large print/high contrast/non-glare
  • Server will read café menu on request
  • Natural surface/grassy dog relief area
    • Lawns north and south of museum
  • Height clearance at least 80"
  • No undetectable protruding objects in path of travel
  • Braille/tactile signage-2nd floor restrooms
  • Elevator has audible indicators
  • Notes:
    • Installation of Braille/tactile signage not complete at time of audit
    • Signs for 2nd floor restrooms mounted on door.

<< Hearing Mobility >>  

Entry

  • Level entry
  • Door has at least 32" clearance
  • Threshold less than 1/2" beveled
  • Easy grasp/lever handle or none
  • Note: Double manual doors located each side of revolving doors

Assistive Equipment for People with Physical Disabilities

  • Wheelchair
  • Available from coat check

Interior Access

  • Corridor/path of travel at least 36" wide
  • Ramps provide access to one or more areas
    • 'L' Car No. 1, 2nd fl.

Accessible Facilities/Amenities

  • Restaurant/Cafe-Wolfgang Puck Cafe
    • Accessible restroom in or near the restaurant
  • Information Counter-36" max.
  • Ticketing-36" max. counter
  • Gift shop
  • Seating-benches with arm
  • Drinking Fountain

Performance Space

  • Name/Location-Auditorium
  • Fixed seating
  • Wheelchair seating
    • Locations-Front and back of theatre
  • Companion seating
    • Fixed in front or back
    • Moveable alongside
  • Wheelchair access to stage/playing area
    • From ramp on west entrance to stage
    • Staff assistance required
  • Note: Auditorium was not available for audit at time of visit.

Exhibits

  • On accessible route
  • Space to approach/view/maneuver
  • Freestanding cases 36"-39" max.
  • Wall hung cases 36-39" max. bottom level
  • Wall hung displays 54" to center line (mostly)
  • Items viewed from above, 36" to top of item/case
  • Interactive displays are wheelchair accessible
  • Interactive displays have easy to use controls
  • Labels are viewable from seated position

Elevator

  • Door clearance at least 36"
  • Car size at least 54" x 80" with centered door or 54" x 68" with side door
  • Elevator controls 54" or less except alarm

Café/Restaurant

  • Menu on sign/wall only
  • Counter service only
    • Staff will assist/carry food to table
  • Cafeteria/buffet line on accessible path of travel
    • Counter/buffet 36" high or less
  • Pay at cashier counter 36" high or less
  • Wheelchair accessible tables
    • Knee clearance at least 27" high by 30" wide
    • Surface no more than 34" high
    • Pedestal does not block toe clearance
  • 36" path to/between tables

<< Vision Restroom >>  

Restroom

  • Men's and Women's
    • Location-next to café and on 2nd floor
  • Unisex/Single Use
    • Location-2nd floor next to Men's restroom
  • Entry door at least 32" clearance
  • Threshold less than 1/2" beveled
  • Space in restroom to maneuver-5' by 5' or T-shaped space to turn
  • Stall door at least 32" clearance
  • Stall door swings out
  • Grab bar behind and alongside toilet
  • Lateral transfer space at least 30" wide
  • Toilet height 17" to 19"
  • Ambulatory stall
    • Grab bars on both sides
    • Toilet 16"
  • Roll under sink with knee clearance at least 27" high and 30" wide
  • Insulated sink pipes
  • Mirror 40" or less from floor or tilted
  • Towels/soap/vending within reach-48" or less from floor
  • Faucet controls automatic or lever type
  • Latch operable with closed fist
  • Easy grasp/lever handle or none

<< Mobility  

Tab options