Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum

Celebrating more than 150 years of science exploration and education, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum is the public face of the Chicago Academy of Sciences, 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. As one of the city’s best examples of eco-friendly building technology with its lush outdoor nature trails and habitat, green roof, solar panels, and natural light sources, the Museum engages visitors, especially urban dwellers, in new ways to connect with and preserve the natural world.