Join us on Independence Day for a day full of indoor and outdoor activities, including gallery tours; performances; artmaking; family-friendly trivia, games, and crafts; a collaborative mural; opportunities to connect with civics-focused organizations in Chicago; and more!

Rather than a traditional formal program on the plaza, our festivities will give visitors more opportunities to explore the Museum and draw stronger connections to our exhibitions and historical content. With this expanded program, we are sharing stories of past Chicagoans who have helped shape this city and celebrating those civic superheroes who have impacted society for the better.

This format allows us to amplify our mission, exhibitions, and partners with an inspiring, interactive experience for all that is rooted in Chicago’s contributions to the American story.

Included with admission, which is FREE for Illinois residents on this day! This event is part of Civic Season at CHM.

Schedule

Starting at 9:30 a.m.

Livestream of July 4th with the National Archives!

Grab a seat in the Robert R. McCormick Theater to view a livestreamed reading of the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives.

10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Outdoors in the Rear Plaza

– Family-friendly Games
– Pretty Cool Ice Cream Giveaway
– Collaborative Mural Activity: “My Civic Participation Looks Like . . .” – Reflect on how you envision civic and community support for Chicago by contributing to a collaborative mural with local teaching artist Natalia Virafuentes.

10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Exhibition Activation

Visit the Facing Freedom in America exhibition and learn about the role the Declaration of Independence had on defining American freedom. Explore period artifacts, get an up-close view of the Declaration of Independence from the Museum’s collection, add issues you advocate for to a display case in the exhibition, and explore the civic actions of Americans over time that continue to build on the foundation of American freedom.

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Hot Dog Trivia
Test your knowledge about one of the city’s most recognizable foods―the Chicago hot dog! Prizes will be awarded to the top three winners.

12:00–3:00 p.m.

Activities Throughout the Museum

10 Questions for Civic Love: Read and Respond
Inspired by the National Public Housing Museum’s 36 Questions for Civic Love, our 10 Questions activity offers visitors the opportunity to respond to a civics-themed questions and show support for responses from others.

Printmaking with Purpose
Sit in on a printmaking session with CHM staff and make your own to take home!

Button Making
Buttons are a stylish way to show your support for topics of interest! Design your own civics-focused buttons to wear home. This activity is inspired by our newest exhibition Designing for Change: Chicago Protest Art of the 1960s–70s.

Guided Exhibition Tour
Come along for a facilitator-led tour of Designing for Change: Chicago Protest Art of the 1960s–70s! Get a focused look at important Chicago examples of activist art.

Civic Superheroes at CHM
Go on a self-guided exploration of CHM’s galleries to locate and learn more about Chicago’s past civic superheroes. A digital geolocational map accompanies this activity. Pick up your guide at the Ticketing Desk!

Face Painting
Wearable art is a great way to show your support for the things that matter to you! Have a seat and let face painters from Party Picassos and Face Painting by Valery create a unique design just for you.

12:00–2:00 p.m.

Poems While You Wait
Come get your own, unique poem typed in 10–15 minutes typed by a professional poet on a typewriter right in before your eyes! All poems are free and can be of any topic, especially those related to civic engagement, US history, and justice for all.

Poems While You Wait supports Rose Metal Press, a 501(c)3 nonprofit independent publisher of literary hybrid genres specializing in flash fiction and nonfiction, prose poetry, novels-in-verse or book-length linked poems, and more!

12:30–1:30 p.m.

Musical Performance: Civic Soundstage
ChiArts Performance joins us for an hour of civics-inspired music. Come listen to the music that gets us pumped to go out and change the world for the better!

3:00–4:00 p.m.

Chicago in Action – Toward an Equitable Future: Youth Empowerment and Democracy
Mikva Challenge CEO Verneé Green joins us for a conversation about ways to encourage our city’s young folks to become more engaged in their communities and to continue the ongoing work of ensuring democracy, like Chicago’s youth, has a bright and promising future.