Griffin Museum of Science and Industry at Open House Chicago

Originally designed by Charles Atwood to serve as the Palace of Fine Art for the World’s Fair of 1893, Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is organized in the form of a cross with a large dome rising above its center. True to the Beaux Arts style, it is perfectly symmetrical and adorned in classical ornamentation including Ionic columns, garlands and caryatids, the draped, female figures that serve as columns. The museum serves as an example of Daniel Burnham’s vision of a classically inspired White City. As with many of its White City neighbors, the building's exterior walls were originally composed of a material called “staff,” a combination of plaster of Paris, glue and hemp fiber that was painted white. In the late 1920s, due entirely to the initiative and philanthropy of Julius Rosenwald, an exterior restoration took place in order to create a building more suitable for a permanent museum. Today, Griffin MSI is one of the largest science museums in the world, home to over 400,000 square feet of hands-on-exhibits that encourage questions and spark scientific creativity. OHC Visitors will be able to grab a scavenger hunt when they arrive to learn more about the architecture of the museum. Museum admission is free on Sunday, October 18 only. Tickets are required and advanced reservations are strongly encouraged. Reserve your free tickets, use promo code OPENHOUSE. The museum will also be open on Saturday, October 17 with paid admission.