Celebrating over 160 years of science exploration and education, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is the public face of the Chicago Academy of Sciences. The Chicago Academy of Sciences was founded in 1857 as Chicago’s first museum dedicated to educating Chicagoans about nature and science through the preservation and display of native specimens, classroom activities, and dissemination of scientific knowledge.
Today the Museum continues the Academy’s tradition of research, conservation and education about nature in the Midwest through participatory exhibits and programs, educational outreach and ongoing scientific activity. Its collections, due to their age and type, are among the most important in the region. The Museum distinguishes itself through extensive involvement in schools and the opportunities it provides for visitors to experience nature up close.
