Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
The Chicago Academy of Sciences Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
The Nature Museum as seen from the southwest
Established	1857
Location	2430 N Cannon Drive, Chicago, IL 60614
Type	Natural history museum

Official logo of the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum of the Chicago Academy of Sciences

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is a natural history museum in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It is run by the Chicago Academy of Sciences. This museum teaches people about nature and science. It is especially focused on the natural world around Chicago.

The museum started with a collection of items in 1857. For about 100 years, it was in a different building. That building was the first of many museums built in Chicago's parks. In 1999, the museum moved to its current home. It was named after a kind supporter, Peggy Notebaert. The museum is known for its live butterfly house. This house helps scientists study and protect local butterflies.

Exploring the Museum's Past
- Early Collections and Challenges
- A New Home in Lincoln Park
Discovering Museum Exhibits
- Popular Museum Displays
- Helping Local Butterflies
Who is Peggy Notebaert?
Images for kids
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Exploring the Museum's Past

The Chicago Academy of Sciences has a long and interesting history. It was founded in 1857 by young, smart naturalists. These included Robert Kennicott and William Stimpson. It was Chicago's very first museum dedicated to nature and science.

Early Collections and Challenges

The museum quickly gathered one of the best nature collections in the United States. But in 1871, a big disaster happened. The Great Chicago Fire destroyed almost all of its collection. The museum was rebuilt, but it faced more money problems in the 1880s. It lost its home again during that time.

A New Home in Lincoln Park

In 1898, the academy built a new museum building in Lincoln Park. This building became a model for other museums in Chicago's parks. The old museum was very popular. It had realistic displays called dioramas that showed local nature scenes.

After many years, the academy needed an even bigger space. So, a new building was built nearby in 1999. This new building is the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum. The old museum building is now used by the Lincoln Park Zoo for its offices.

Discovering Museum Exhibits

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum has many exciting exhibits. These displays teach visitors about the natural world. They focus on the plants, animals, and environments of the Illinois region.

Popular Museum Displays

One of the most popular exhibits is the live butterfly house. It is home to over 200 different kinds of butterflies. Some are from the local area, and others are from far away. The museum also has a "green home" display. This shows how people can live in ways that help the environment.

Helping Local Butterflies

A special part of the museum's work is studying and caring for butterflies. Scientists at the museum breed native butterflies. This helps increase the number of these butterflies in the Chicago area. The museum also offers many educational programs. These programs teach both kids and adults about natural science.

Who is Peggy Notebaert?

The museum building is named after Peggy Notebaert. She was a generous supporter of the museum. The building was designed by a company called Perkins and Will.