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Home » Visit Us » Abakanowicz Research Center » ARC Class Orientations

On-site Class Orientations

Abakanowicz Research Center

The Abakanowicz Research Center (ARC) holds the Research Collections of the Chicago History Museum, which comprise printed material, archives and manuscripts, prints and photographs, architectural drawings, and assorted ephemera. The ARC is always free to visit, and we are pleased to welcome all students from elementary school to PhD candidates.

Learn more about on-site class orientations at the ARC below.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can request an orientation?

Abakanowicz Research Center (ARC) orientations are currently offered for any high school, college, or graduate school group. 

Who gives these orientations?

Orientations are led by ARC reference librarian Maggie Cusick.  

What is offered during an orientation?

One-hour orientation sessions consist of a brief presentation to introduce the group to the ARC, who we are, what we do, what types of material we have in the research collection, and how to access these materials when they come back to do individual research. 

The second part of the session includes time for the group to look through a selection of prepulled material on a topic relevant to their class so students can familiarize themselves with interacting with and handling our archival material, photographs, maps, and published material.  

The orientation session is meant as an introduction to our operations so that students can come back to do research, rather than a research session itself. We will not be able to pull additional material during these sessions, but staff will be available to talk to students more about specific questions as they arise. 

What are the learning objectives of an orientation?
  • To familiarize students with the physical space and procedures for accessing the research collections in the ARC 
  • To introduce students to access tools such as our online catalog ARCHIE, finding aids, and our online image database so that after their group visit, they can explore on their own and find material they’d like to review for their research (in their current class or in the future) 
  • To foster a welcoming and open space for all students to feel they can come and work with the research collection, belong in this space, and are part of our community 
When can orientations happen?

Class orientations are available year–round, Tuesday‒Friday mornings. We tend to be busiest at the beginning of school terms (August, September, January), so if you would like to bring your class at that time, please reach out sooner rather than later. Currently, orientations are only available in the morning. The ARC opens to the public at noon, so all orientations need to be done by 11:30 a.m.   

How long do orientations last?

Students spend one hour in the ARC. The Museum opens at 9:30 a.m. and all orientations must be finished by 11:30 a.m. Therefore, we can meet with your students for an hour at any time during that two-hour window.

How many students can come?

Due to space and staffing, we can accommodate up to 15‒20 students in a session. If you have a larger class, it is possible to split them into two groups, but both groups will still need to be accommodated within the two-hour window from 9:30 to 11:30.

How much lead time is needed?

ARC staff requests a minimum of two weeks’ lead time to prepare for an orientation session for your class where material will be pulled. Any requests that come in with less than that cannot be accommodated for that initial date. Staff will be in touch about alternate dates.  

Is there a cost associated with getting an orientation?

No, it is always free to use the ARC, and free to have an orientation. If you want your class to also spend time in the Museum exhibitions as well, please reach out to the Education Department regarding field trips for K‒12 groups, and Visitor Services for college students and beyond.

How do I inquire about bringing my class for an orientation?

If your university has a partnership with CHM, we ask you to fill out this form: 

https://www.chicagohistory.org/visit-us/university-partner-group-form/ 

If not, please email us at research@chicagohistory.org. 

What if I just want my students to come in to do research?

If you are not interested in an orientation but want your students to work with the collection, they are welcome to come during our open hours as individual researchers. We will ask them to register as a researcher at the first floor Ticket Desk, and then when they come to us in the ARC, we can talk with them about what they would like to see and how to access it.

If you do want a class to come in and do targeted research in our collections without an orientation, please give us a heads up at research@chicagohistory.org, just so we can be aware that they’ll be coming in and what to expect. Find more about our procedures and hours here.

Who can request an orientation?

Abakanowicz Research Center (ARC) orientations are currently offered for any high school, college, or graduate school group. 

Who gives these orientations?

Orientations are led by ARC reference librarian Maggie Cusick.  

What is offered during an orientation?

One-hour orientation sessions consist of a brief presentation to introduce the group to the ARC, who we are, what we do, what types of material we have in the research collection, and how to access these materials when they come back to do individual research. 

The second part of the session includes time for the group to look through a selection of prepulled material on a topic relevant to their class so students can familiarize themselves with interacting with and handling our archival material, photographs, maps, and published material.  

The orientation session is meant as an introduction to our operations so that students can come back to do research, rather than a research session itself. We will not be able to pull additional material during these sessions, but staff will be available to talk to students more about specific questions as they arise. 

What are the learning objectives of an orientation?
  • To familiarize students with the physical space and procedures for accessing the research collections in the ARC 
  • To introduce students to access tools such as our online catalog ARCHIE, finding aids, and our online image database so that after their group visit, they can explore on their own and find material they’d like to review for their research (in their current class or in the future) 
  • To foster a welcoming and open space for all students to feel they can come and work with the research collection, belong in this space, and are part of our community 
When can orientations happen?

Class orientations are available year–round, Tuesday‒Friday mornings. We tend to be busiest at the beginning of school terms (August, September, January), so if you would like to bring your class at that time, please reach out sooner rather than later. Currently, orientations are only available in the morning. The ARC opens to the public at noon, so all orientations need to be done by 11:30 a.m.   

How long do orientations last?

Students spend one hour in the ARC. The Museum opens at 9:30 a.m. and all orientations must be finished by 11:30 a.m. Therefore, we can meet with your students for an hour at any time during that two-hour window.

How many students can come?

Due to space and staffing, we can accommodate up to 15‒20 students in a session. If you have a larger class, it is possible to split them into two groups, but both groups will still need to be accommodated within the two-hour window from 9:30 to 11:30.

How much lead time is needed?

ARC staff requests a minimum of two weeks’ lead time to prepare for an orientation session for your class where material will be pulled. Any requests that come in with less than that cannot be accommodated for that initial date. Staff will be in touch about alternate dates.  

Is there a cost associated with getting an orientation?

No, it is always free to use the ARC, and free to have an orientation. If you want your class to also spend time in the Museum exhibitions as well, please reach out to the Education Department regarding field trips for K‒12 groups, and Visitor Services for college students and beyond.

How do I inquire about bringing my class for an orientation?

If your university has a partnership with CHM, we ask you to fill out this form: 

https://www.chicagohistory.org/visit-us/university-partner-group-form/ 

If not, please email us at research@chicagohistory.org. 

What if I just want my students to come in to do research?

If you are not interested in an orientation but want your students to work with the collection, they are welcome to come during our open hours as individual researchers. We will ask them to register as a researcher at the first floor Ticket Desk, and then when they come to us in the ARC, we can talk with them about what they would like to see and how to access it.

If you do want a class to come in and do targeted research in our collections without an orientation, please give us a heads up at research@chicagohistory.org, just so we can be aware that they’ll be coming in and what to expect. Find more about our procedures and hours here.

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