Walking Tour | Historic Old Town

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we’re also taking time to consider the ways people in the United States practice democracy through civic action, including by making art, establishing community, and cultural expression.

The Chicago History Museum sits on the edge of Old Town, a neighborhood rich in history. The Chicago area was home to the Potawatomi, whose villages were built on these lands. After they were forcibly removed, German farmers settled here. Since then, it has served as an enclave for Puerto Rican migrants, a home to the first gay rights organization in the US, as well as a vibrant arts scene.

Join CHM volunteer Carol Fitzgibbons to explore stories of recovery from the 1871 Great Chicago Fire and the neighborhood as the center of Chicago bohemianism in the 1960s and ’70s. Highlights include a post-Fire shelter cottage, the Midwest Buddhist Temple, numerous historic residences, and St. Michael’s Church, one of only seven buildings to survive the fire.

Tour runs 1.5 to 2 hours. Meet at the Chicago History Museum. Tour also includes free admission to the Chicago History Museum, good for one week from tour date. Masks are optional for our outdoor walking tours. Learn more about our COVID-19 safety policies and procedures.