Museums and monuments tell the rich history of African-Americans in Chicago.
Chicago's most famous African-American attractions include: a landmark neighborhood where the Marx Brothers lived, a record studio immortalized by the Rolling Stones in "2120 South Michigan Avenue," a tribute to one of the greatest athletes ever and a museum.
DuSable Museum of African American History
In 1961, Dr. Margaret Burroughs brought together prominent Chicago leaders to open a private museum dedicated to the African American experience. Dr. Burroughs called it the DuSable Museum of African American History. Though small when it first opened in Dr. Burroughs' home, the museum collection grew to house 15,000 items such as paintings, sculpture and historical memorabilia. Permanent exhibits include a tribute to Harold Washington, Chicago's first African-American mayor, and a collection of military artifacts chronicling the contributions of 14 million African-American members of the United States military who served from the Revolutionary War to the Vietnam War. Throughout the year, the DuSable Museum of African American History presents musical concerts, plays, films, book-signings and lectures.
DuSable Museum of African American History
740 E. 56th Place
Chicago, Illinois 60637
773-947-0600
dusablemuseum.org
Bronzeville
At the edge of McCormick Place, Chicago's massive convention center, lies the entrance to the Bronzeville neighborhood and a 15-foot bronze sculpture commemorating the "Great Northern Migration". Hundreds of thousands of African-Americans sought a better life in this Chicago neighborhood, including entertainers Louis Armstrong, Nat "King" Cole, Buddy Guy and Muddy Waters, as well as writers Richard Wright and Lorraine Hansberry. Bessie Coleman, an African-American woman who was denied the opportunity to earn a pilot's license in the United States, lived in Bronzeville before training as a pilot in France. In 1905, newspaper publisher Robert S. Abbott established America's most influential African-American newspaper, The Chicago Defender, in Bronzeville, where its modern headquarters are located. Ninety-one bronze plaques mark the contributions of African-Americans to Bronzeville. The City of Chicago's "Explore Chicago" website includes a directory of famous residences and businesses and a guide to public art in Bronzeville.
Bronzeville
South from Twenty-Sixth Street to Fifty-First Street
East from the Dan Ryan Expressway to Cottage Grove Avenue
Blues Heaven Foundation
Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation, which is located in Chicago's South side, is home to Chess Records. The studio that launched the careers of music greats Chuck Berry, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Bo Diddley, Koko Taylor and many others is silent but is still open for tours, as are the offices of founders Leonard and Phil Chess.
Willie Dixon's Blues Heaven Foundation
2120 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60616
312- 808-1286
bluesheaven.com
Michael Jordan Statue
No trip to Chicago is complete without a visit to the Michael Jordan statue. The 2,000-pound bronze statue catches Jordan in mid-flight. Inscribed with the simple words "The best there ever was. The best there ever will be.", the Michael Jordan statue is recognized worldwide. Located outside of the United Center, tourists visit the statue in snow, rain, heat and sleet.
United Center
1901 W. Madison St.
Chicago, IL 60612
http://www.unitedcenter.com/unitedcenter/MichaelJordanStatue.asp
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