The Atwood Celestial Sphere opened at the Academy in June of 1913. What set it apart from other planetariums of the period was its ability to rotate around visitors as they stood inside it. Atwood, who served on the Academy’s Board and briefly as Acting Director of the museum, designed the incredible apparatus and it helped usher in a new age of planetariums.
Remembering Dr. William J. Beecher – Part 2
Read the second of a two-part series remembering Dr. William Beecher, Director of the Chicago Academy of Sciences from 1958-1982.
Remembering Dr. William J. Beecher – Part 1
Read the first of a two-part series remembering Dr. William Beecher, Director of the Chicago Academy of Sciences from 1958-1982.
Remembering Alfred M. Bailey
If you’re familiar with the Chicago Academy Sciences and our history, then chances are good that you’ve heard the name Alfred M. Bailey before. For just shy of a decade, Bailey was Director of the Academy, and added some invaluable specimens to our ornithology collection
The Work of William Stimpson
Although February 14 is recognized as Valentine’s Day, it’s a special day to the Nature Museum for another reason. It’s also the birthday of William Stimpson, a major force in the creation and establishment of the Chicago Academy of Sciences.
Taking a Closer Look at Howard K. Gloyd
Herpetologist Howard Kay Gloyd served as Director of the Chicago Academy of Sciences from 1936-1958. Born in DeSoto, Kansas, Gloyd taught at Ottawa University, the Agricultural College of Kansas State […]
Cataloging the Zoology of Illinois with Robert Kennicott
One hundred seventy-nine years ago today, one of the most important figures in the history of the Chicago Academy of Sciences and its Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum was born – Robert Kennicott. His work lives on through the Nature Museum, but did you know that even before the birth of the Academy, his work helped naturalists and biologists better understand the zoology of Illinois as a whole?
Founder’s Week: Timeline Part III; 1958 – 2014
Interested in learning more about the history of the Chicago Academy of Sciences? Then delve into this third part of our timeline spanning our history from 1958-2014!
Founder’s Week: Timeline Part II; 1895 – 1957
Interested in learning more about the history of the Chicago Academy of Sciences? Then delve into this second part of our timeline spanning our history from 1895-1957!
Who are the Founders?
In 1856 a group of like-minded men enthusiastic about the natural sciences began to meet in Chicago. Here is a brief overview of just a few of the individuals who helped bring about this outcome.
Do you ever wonder how a butterfly gets its colors? Or how turtles hibernate? Do you wonder how birds know where to migrate each year? For over 160 years, the Chicago Academy of Sciences / Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum has served a unique role in the city of Chicago connecting children of all ages to nature and science through immersive exhibits, fun family events, important conservation research and in-depth education programs, inspiring the wonder in all of us.