Neighborhood News-Discover Chicago’s ‘People’s Palace’ at the Chicago Cultural Center
Known for its dazzling, ornate mosaic ceilings in Preston Bradley Hall, elegant receptions, and myriad free arts programming, the Chicago Loop’s Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, has entertained presidents, served as our central public library, and today, provides hundreds of free arts and entertainment programs annually. As the nation’s first free municipal cultural center, the Chicago Cultural Center is one of the city’s most popular attractions and is considered one of the most comprehensive arts showcases in the United States.
“The People’s Palace” started out as the Central Public Library
The Chicago Cultural Center began its life as Chicago’s Central Public Library in 1897. Construction began in 1892, after a then-innovative public tax was used to finance the building. According to the Center’s website, “the country’s top architects and craftsmen used the most sumptuous materials, such as rare imported marbles, polished brass, fine hardwoods, and mosaics of Favrile glass, mother-of-pearl and colored stone, to create an architectural showplace. Located on the south side of the building, the world’s largest stained glass Tiffany dome, with some 30,000 pieces of glass ― was restored to its original splendor in 2008. On the north side of the building is a 40-foot-diameter dome with some 50,000 pieces of glass in an intricate Renaissance pattern, designed by Healy & Millet.”
Five years later, after several construction delays, the spectacular, Beaux Arts neo-classical granite and limestone ‘palace,’ stretching from Randolph Street to Washington Street on Michigan Avenue, was finally completed. During the first week of October 1897, the people of Chicago marveled at the sparkling building that housed an inspired, marvelous library and a serenely beautiful Grand Army of the Republic War Memorial.
For the next 80 years, the building stood as one of the most ornate and popular free public libraries in the nation.
Transition from Library to Cultural Center
According to the Chicago Architecture Center, by the mid-1960s, the building, like many structures of its age, seemed obsolete. Most downtown residents were scattering to the suburbs, and demolition was a real possibility. However, a group of historic preservationists, most notably Charles Staples and Landmarks Illinois, advocated tirelessly for its preservation. In 1976, Eleanor ‘Sis’ Daley, the wife of Mayor Richard J. Daley, spoke up on its behalf, saying “I am for restoring and keeping all the beautiful buildings.”
Somewhere between her support and the preservationist’s push, the building was converted in 1977 to an arts and culture center at the instigation of then-Commissioner of Cultural Affairs Lois Weisberg. The library was relocated to a building across Michigan Avenue as the new Harold Washington Library was built, and dedicated in 1991.
According to Wikipedia sources, Weisberg, Oprah Winfrey, Chicago ‘s late First Lady Maggie Daley and many more prominent Chicago women are pictured on a 2017 mural entitled ‘Rush More.’ Located on the west facade of the cultural center, the piece is an homage to women who have contributed to the culture of Chicago.
Today, an Arts Programming Mecca
Every year, the Chicago Cultural Center presents hundreds of free international, national, regional and local artists, musicians and performers, providing a showcase where the public can enjoy and learn about the arts.
Lantern Festival Celebration
On Sunday, February 5th, from 12pm –4pm, at Preston Bradley Hall, all are invited to close out the Chinese New Year season as The Chicago Cultural Center’s Preston Bradley Hall is transformed into a lively Chinese marketplacefeaturing lion dance, music, dance and more by some of Chicago’s most illustrious performers, and enjoy food, calligraphy, puppets, a selfie booth, trinkets and more. Thisz event is free and open to the public.
You can learn more about the center with a free tour. These are led every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 1:15pm. The building is open Monday-Thursday. 10am-7pm, Friday, 10am-6pm, Saturday, 10am-5pm and Sunday, 11am-5pm. They are closed on holidays. For more information, click here.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
