The developing story of Chicago’s maritime traditions and impact.

The Chicago Maritime Museum, located on the River Level of the Bridgeport Art Center at 35th Street and Racine Ave, opened in July of 2016. The museum offers visitors a chronological walk through local maritime history including the eras of French fur traders, sail and steam-powered vessels, modern commercial Great Lakes frigates, recreational sailing and the Ralph and Rita Frese Canoe Collection. Designed by renowned architect and CMM chairman emeritus, Dirk Lohan, the 10,000-square-foot museum serves as a window into Chicago’s maritime history. 

Vision and Mission

Mission

The mission of Chicago Maritime Museum is to become recognized as the leading authority on our waterways and their significance to Chicago and the world in the past, present, and future.

Vision


People in its community will:

  • Know Chicago changed the nation’s economy thanks to its people, maritime heritage and location

  • See that Chicago’s evolution was defined by its location between the Mississippi and Great Lakes

  • Understand the impact of our waterways on our ecology and well being

  • Appreciate the role our waterways have played in discovery, settlement, trade and recreation

  • Become more involved with our waterways, for both work and leisure

Land Acknowledgement

  • Vice-Chairman & Treasurer
    Gerald H. Thomas, Ph.D, President Emeritus

    Secretary
    David R. Metzger

    Directors
    Anil Ahuja

    Mary Alyce Blum

    Grant Crowley

    Matthew Howard

    Deane Tank, Sr. Ph.D.

    Helen Kessler

    Pam Rice

    George Kisiel

    Kris Habermehl

    Special Advisor
    Dirk Lohan, Chairman Emeritus

  • Gerald H. Thomas, Ph.D., Chair

    Sari Breslin

    Madeline Crispell

    William Derrah

    Jim Jarecki

    Theodore Karamanski, Ph.D.

    Nancy Michael

    Mary Ann O’Rourke

    Ariana Rubin

    Kathleen J. Thomas

    Thatcher Waller, Jr.


  • Curator

    ​​Madeline Crispell | curator@chicagomaritimemuseum.org

    Museum Manager

    Ariana Rubin | manager@chicagomaritimemuseum.org

    Museum Associate
    Isabelle Carrillo | info@chicagomaritimemuseum.org

    Museum Assistants
    Dante Peterson

    David Davison

    Dan Keidl

  • Carolyn Aronson
    ​Glenn Braun
    Joseph Gamble
    Tom Kastle
    Dick Lanyon
    ​Patrick McBriarty
    Pamela Nelson
    Patricia O'Shea
    Betsy Perrine
    Kathy Perrine
    Mark Perrine
    Chuck Perry
    ​Norma Portillo
    Scott Reimer
    Charlene Schibrowsky 
    Teddy Schibrowsky