National Register of Historic Places

Chicago Public Library, Central Building

Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
Listed
July 30, 1972
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
72000449

About this property

The Chicago Cultural Center, opened in 1897, is a national landmark operated by Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. The neoclassical building houses the city's official reception venue, where the Mayor of Chicago has welcomed presidents, royalty, diplomats, and community leaders. It is located in the Loop, across Michigan Avenue from Millennium Park. Originally the main library of the Chicago Public Library and a memorial hall, the building was converted in 1978 to an arts and culture center at the instigation of Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Lois Weisberg. The city's central library is now located across the Loop in the spacious, postmodern-style Harold Washington Library Center, which opened in 1991. As the nation's first free municipal cultural center, the Chicago Cultural Center is one of the city's most popular attractions and is considered one of the most comprehensive arts showcases in the United States. Each year, the Chicago Cultural Center features more than 1,000 programs and exhibitions covering a wide range of the performing, visual and literary arts. It also serves as headquarters for the Chicago Children's Choir.

Location

78 E. Washington St.
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois
41.88392, -87.62506

Categories

ARTARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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The Civil War
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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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The Community
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Nearby Historic Sites

Marshall Field Company Store
Industrial
0.1 mi
Balaban and Katz Chicago Theatre
Industrial
0.2 mi
New Masonic Building and Oriental Theater
Industrial
0.2 mi
Page Brothers Building
Civil War
0.2 mi
Jewelers' Building
Industrial
0.2 mi

Nearby Battles

Battle of Fort Dearborn (Chicago Massacre)
1812Early Republic
0.1 mi

Questions about this property

When was Chicago Public Library, Central Building listed on the National Register?

Chicago Public Library, Central Building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 30, 1972.

What type of historic resource is Chicago Public Library, Central Building?

Chicago Public Library, Central Building is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for Chicago Public Library, Central Building?

The period of significance for Chicago Public Library, Central Building is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near Chicago Public Library, Central Building?

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