Unexpected Chicago
Millions of Artifacts One Amazing Museum
2012 is your chance to see six collection treasures that would rarely be on display. Whether you’re interested in cosmetology, politics or Playboy Unexpected Chicago has something for you. The smallest donation helps share our beloved city's history with the world. Support the Museum's collection to ensure that it is here for generations to come.
See it Now at the Museum
On display from May through June
Hugh’s Little Black Book
This little black book speaks volumes, for it belonged to Hugh Hefner, who founded Playboy in 1953. Today, a real address book like this is becoming a thing of the past, but in its day this artifact signified a masculine player who then and still today has the world at his fingertips.
On display from July through August
John Hancock’s Billfold
John Hancock was a founding father of the United States and prominent signer of the Declaration of Independence. As a wealthy Boston merchant who paid for parties to keep the fight for independence on the minds of everyone through the social ranks, he must have kept a lot of money inside this billfold.
> Support the collectionOn display from September through October
Bee Hive Hair Do
In 1960 Margaret Vinci Heldt was an icon in her field, so when the editors of Modern Beauty Shop magazine were concerned that hair design had become stale, they turned to her. She created the beautiful hairstyle, which the editors thought resembled a beehive.
> Support the collectionOn display from November through December
Ulysses S. Grant Telegrams
On Election Day 1868 Ulysses S. Grant received these two telegrams from two of his friends. One message, declared Grant’s victory in New York, while the other projected his election to the presidency. Imagine the suspense Grant must have felt!
> Support the collection