National Hellenic Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1983 |
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| Location | 333 South Halsted Street Chicago, Illinois 60661 United States |
| Collection size | ~18,000 Artifacts ~10,000 Archival Items 200 Oral Histories |
| Visitors | 7,000 - 11,000 (Yearly Average) |
| Public transit access | Chicago Blue Line Halsted Street Station |
| Area | 40,000 square feet (3,700 m2) |
The National Hellenic Museum in Chicago celebrates Greek culture. It also honors the experiences of Greek-Americans. This museum is one of the oldest in America focused on Greek heritage.
It used to be called the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center. You can find it in Chicago's Greektown. The museum moved to a new, modern building in December 2011. This move was a big event for the Greek community in Chicago.
The museum helps people understand the rich traditions of ancient and modern Greece. It also shares stories of Greek-American immigrants. It has become a very important place for the Greek community.
Contents
Discovering the Museum's History
The National Hellenic Museum started in 1983. It was first known as the Hellenic Museum and Cultural Center. It has a long and interesting history in Chicago.
In 1992, the museum opened its first location. This was on Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago. It was one of the first museums in the U.S. to focus on Greek heritage.
The museum moved to a new spot in Greektown in July 2004. This helped it stay connected to the Greek community.
In 2009, the museum got a new name: the National Hellenic Museum. It also got a new logo with a Greek key design. Its new goal was "Connecting generations through Greek history, culture, and art."
The museum moved to its current building in 2011. This building was specially built for the museum. It is right in the middle of Chicago's Greektown.
A New Home for Greek Culture
In 2005, work began on the museum's new building. This building was a key part of Chicago's plan to improve Greektown. The new facility is a modern space, about 40,000 square feet.
It has special rooms for permanent and changing exhibition halls. There is also a library and a research center. Kids can enjoy classrooms for learning. An oral history center collects stories from Greek-Americans.
The building also has a rooftop terrace. This area features three gardens. It offers amazing views of the Chicago skyline in the summer.
Architect Demetrios Stavrianos designed the new museum. The building was finished in 2011. Its grand opening was on December 10, 2011.
Sharing Stories: The Oral History Project
The museum has a special project called the Oral History Project. It collects stories from Greek immigrants in America. These stories are recorded through interviews.
Many Greeks came to America between 1890 and 1920. This project helps save their experiences. As of 2015, the project had over 300 individual stories. These stories are on film and audio tape. They come from Greeks and Greek-Americans all over the United States.
Amazing Greek Collections
The National Hellenic Museum has a huge collection. It covers thousands of years of Greek history. You can find items from ancient times (1200 BCE) to today.
The collection also shows the Greek-American immigrant experience. It includes handmade textiles, traditional costumes, and musical instruments. There are also many original photographs.
Learning in the Library and Archives
The museum's Library and Archives hold over 10,000 books and documents. The library has books on Greek history, culture, language, and religion. Some rare books from the 17th and 18th centuries are also there.
The archives keep old Greek-American newspapers and magazines. They also have many historical records. You can find handwritten letters and early manuscripts. It is one of the largest collections of Greek-language newspapers in the U.S.
Exciting Exhibitions to Explore
The National Hellenic Museum hosts many exhibitions each year. These shows cover Greek history, culture, and art.
Current Exhibitions
- Legacy, Renewal & Unity and Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
- Gather Together: Chicago Street Photography by Diane Alexander White
- Change: The Story of Coins
- Reaching for the American Dream: The Legacy of Greek Immigration
- The Story of Greek Independence
Past Exhibitions
- Lives Afloat: The Greek Refugee Crisis through the lens of Tasos Markou (2015-2017)
- George Kokines: Layers Revealed
- Sweet Home Chicago: The Story of America's Candy Capital
- Aegean: Creation of an Archipelago
- Transcending Boundaries: The Art of Anthony Quinn
- The Street is My Gallery, a visual display of street art in Athens
- Monumental, a hands-on exhibit about Greek architecture
- The Periklean Akropolis: From Antiquity To Modernity
- The Greek Monsters
- From Memory: Giorgios Rigas
- Threads of Tradition
- The Holocaust In Greece
- Gods, Myths, And Mortals
Fun Events at the Museum
The museum hosts many events throughout the year. Some are small, like cocktail receptions or brunches. Others are big yearly events.
Annual Gala
The Gala is the museum's main yearly fundraising event. It takes place at different locations. The evening includes dinner, music, and dancing. There are also auctions and cultural performances. Speeches are given by the museum director and special guests.
Kouzina
"Kouzina" means kitchen in Greek. At this event, chefs from Chicago share Mediterranean cuisine. They offer different appetizers, salads, entrées, desserts, and beverages. Music and cocktails are also part of this fun event.
