Pritzker Military Museum & Library

One of the lessor known museums across Chicagoland as it occupies the second and third floors of a nondescript building downtown. You may not have to be a history major or war buff to appreciate the rare exhibits of classic uniforms, maps and memorabilia of past wars. The bigger attraction for the more studious is the library. There is a new multi-​media auditorium that can work as a TV studio with their own cameras and control room. There are many special events and changing displays. There is small admission and they offer memberships.

I was visiting Chicago this past weekend for my fellowship orientation with The Mission Continues. Due to a partnership between TMC and Pritzker, we were able to go the museum after hours for a quick tour. I’m sure we didn’t get as in depth as a regular tour, but it was still fantastic of the museum, and its staff, to open their doors so late for us. Regularly, admissions is just $ 5 and free for Active Duty.
Have you ever seen those old fashioned recruiting posters or war bonds posters from WWII? This museum has the ORIGINALS hanging throughout. «Gee. if I were a man, I’d join the Navy!» and some really great ones designed to promote the WAVES. There are a number of artifacts from all eras of American History. Not so much the Revolution, but Civil War era on up.
We can’t talk about a library without talking about the books! They have such an array of titles and topics across history. I didn’t even let myself start browsing because I figured I wouldn’t stop. That’s okay, though, because the Pritzker offers inter-​library loans! If you are looking for a specific book that can only be found in their collection, you can request the loan via your local library.
The Pritzker has an auditorium for panels and is quite the production space. They have covered topics from Holocaust Concentration Camp Liberators to Women’s Roles in the Military. They also have Book Club discussions, author lectures, and film screenings. It’s located right on South Michigan just steps away from Millennium Park. If you have any love for the history of our great nation, you won’t want to miss the Pritzker while visiting Chicago.

This museum slash Library is great. If you’ve never seen a Congressional medal of honor. Then this is a way to see and read of the valor of the recipients you’ve received it. also the sacrifice that the men and women have given to this country for freedom.

Wow! A stunning space in the historic Monroe Building with splendid resources, including free wi-​fi and public computers, and access to numerous digital and print resources. I went during my lunch hour and ended up staying for THREE hours, perusing the library, viewing the exhibits, and chatting with the friendly staff. The location is an oasis of quiet in a frantically bustling area, with knock — out views of Michigan Avenue and Millennium Park from the huge windows; rarely crowded, it’s like your own private club. A little bit of heaven in Chicago, and before yesterday I was not even aware of it’s existence (now I’m a member) — truly a hidden gem! They’ve got some pretty great programs coming up and I will be attending all that I can — and a nice perk of membership is that these are free.

Beautiful Facility with great views. Joined here while doing research for my talk on TBI and neurological disorders; despite my best hopes though, they did not have a very comprehensive medical collection on medical diseases, particularly Neurology. However the membership is great to maintain for the lectures (famous veterans or military speakers, movie screenings) and access to the very nice library space to relax and work on the weekend (limited Saturday hours) or on a time to work from home. The only complaint is that the librarians are about the noisiest I have ever heard; they make no attempt to speak quietly or infrequently, so bring your earplugs or background music if you want to focus.

Fabulous library for those with interests in military history. Two levels filled with over 40,000 books, magazines, movies.
Weekly lectures by authors of newly released books complete with book signing events,
Overall a wonderful place to visit. Quiet during the day with the most helpful staff. Kudos all around.

I came here a few weeks ago for the opening of the American Icons of the Great War exhibit that was hosted by the Young Professionals Association. A friend of mine is on the board and I wanted to support her event. The building and the library itself are absolutely gorgeous. I went on a tour, and was very impressed by the docent’s enthusiasm about every nook and cranny of the place. I don’t know enough about military history to comment on the thoroughness of the collection, but I thought my visit was really interesting and informative and I would highly recommend this library to anyone who has any interest in the military or military history.

A gorgeous, stunning space devoted to this country’s history and of the history of the citizen solider. Whether you are visiting or a resident of Chicago, it is definitely worth seeing at least once. Admission is $ 5 and tours are offered on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday. You will be amazed and surprised by the vast collection of books as well as memorabilia and artifacts. There is also space here to host events with a kitchen for catering.

I am actually not a member of this library and I have yet to take out a book. HOWEVER, the Pritzker Military Library offers a lot of free events. I have attended lectures here on a variety of topics from Women in the Military to authors discussing books on the Iraq War and the Civil War.
I have been a member of the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations (or whatever they are calling themselves these days) but it can be costly. To pay $ 20 or more for each event PLUS a $ 75 annual fee gets ridiculous. The Pritzker library has very interesting events and they are free — often with a happy hour providing free drinks and food beforehand. A much better deal. In fact, I feel guilty about it and should probably join the library as a result.
If you have any interest in military affairs, military history, foreign affairs, etc., then I suggest checking out the Pritzker Military Library. It’s an underappreciated treasure in this city.

This is an absolute diamond when it comes to military literature and events. The Library is relatively new, but the support it has behind it and from the military community is outstanding. They have various programs from their «Medal of Honor Series,» which highlights stories from the MOH recipients themselves and Author Visits amongst other things. They have some of my favorite programs I’ve been to in all of Chicago.