McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum

01/29/2021

Sounds of the Chicago River - Events - Friends of the Chicago River

The upcoming 2021 season at the Bridgehouse Museum will feature six public events by the Fifth House Ensemble, culminating in two live performances of Sounds of the Chicago River. The performances are partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, in partnership with Fifth House Ensemble and the American Indian Center - Chicago.

Register for the first event next Thursday, February 4th at 2pm for free here:

https://chicagoriver.org/events/sounds-of-the-chicago-river

Sounds of the Chicago River Thursday, Feb 4, 2021 2:00pm - 3:00pm Tags: Attend The upcoming 2021 season at the Bridgehouse Museum will feature six public events by the Fifth House Ensemble, culminating in two live performances of Sounds of the Chicago River. The performances are partially supported....

11/06/2020

Friends of the Chicago River

Tonight! The Born to be Wild Silent Auction is open to 10 p.m. tonight (11/5), please make your bids now! Many great auction items to choose from including a special rental of the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum. Check out all the silent auction items and make your bid at https://bit.ly/34QIpTR.

10/29/2020

Our last weekend of the 2020 season is here! Swing by the Bridgehouse Museum Thurs (2-7pm), Fri (12-7pm), or Sat (10-5pm) before we hibernate. We also have a few slots left for the Bridge Lift Viewing on Saturday morning. More info on our website. #chicagoriverwalk #chicagomuseums #chicagohistory #chicagoriver #bridgehousemuseum

10/22/2020

We still have spots for Bridge Lift Viewing open for 10/24 and 10/31. Call us to make a reservation! 312-977-0226. #chicago #chicagobridges #basculebridge #museum #chicagoriverwalk

10/22/2020

Friends of the Chicago River

We are open today until 7pm. Friday from 12-7pm. And Saturday 10am-5pm.

The McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum is open today, Friday and Saturday - visit us! See a major refresh of the museum's exhibits that showcase a river teeming with wildlife. Also, check out bridge lift viewing every Saturday through October and special private rental viewings on Wednesdays. https://bit.ly/2GqkOQg

10/17/2020

Sometimes even Bridgehouse Museum employees get stuck waiting for a bridge lift! @chicago.dot #chicago #chicagobridges #magmile #michiganavenue #chicagoriver

09/25/2020

How clean is the Chicago River? You can test the water at the Bridgehouse Museum using our @earthecho simple testing kit. Swing by to test it yourself! #bridgehousemuseum #chicagoriver #chicagomuseums #conservation #waterquality #chicagoriverwalk @ Chicago Riverwalk

09/24/2020

Chicago fall bridge lifts start Wednesday; Lake Shore Drive lifts could take 45 minutes

Some info on the bridge lifts including some possible delays at Lake Shore Drive. Make your reservations for our fall lifts by calling the museum at 312-977-0227.

https://news.yahoo.com/chicago-fall-bridge-lifts-start-132400869.html

Fall bridge lifts were scheduled to start Wednesday on the Chicago River’s main and south branches, with raising and lower the Lake Shore Drive Bridge taking possibly much longer than usual because of construction, according to the city. Bridge lifts will start around 9:30 a.m. every Wednesday and...

09/15/2020

It’s bridge lift season! Come see the 100 year old DuSable Bridge be raised from inside the museum. We will be open on Saturday mornings for bridge lift viewing through the end of October. Wednesday mornings are also available for group rental. For more info, see the Events page on our website. Link in bio. #bridgehousemuseum #chicagobridges #dusablebridge

09/12/2020

Events — McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum

Information on viewing the upcoming fall bridge lifts has been posted on our website. Join us for this one-of-a-kind experience this fall on Saturdays and Wednesdays.

www.bridgehousemuseum.org/events

To accommodate sail boats and other tall vessels traveling between the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, Chicago's bridges open approximately 40 times a year from April to November. Witnessing the Michigan Avenue Bridge opening from inside the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum is quite a t...

09/10/2020

We are open from 2pm to 7pm today. You can’t beat this view of @wendellaboats and @thewrigleybuilding from our newly refreshed fifth floor! #chicago #chicagomuseums #chicagoriver #chicagoriverwalk #michiganavenue

09/05/2020

Our new exhibit designed by @space_haus is in. This is our brand new first floor redesign. We refreshed our lobby, first floor, and fifth floor with all new content. We are open today from 10am-5pm so stop by! @chicago_riverwalk #chicagomuseums #chicagobridges #chicagoriver #chicagoriverwalk #chicagohistory #chicago #bridgehousemuseum

09/02/2020

Tickets and Hours — McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum

Tomorrow is the big day! Starting tomorrow, September 3rd through the end of October, our hours will be:

Thursday 2pm - 7pm
Friday 12pm - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Come see our new exhibits and experience the Bridgehouse Museum on the Chicago Riverwalk. More info on our safety procedures, admission, and group visits here:

http://www.bridgehousemuseum.org/plan-a-visit

Visit the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum. Hours of operation, general admission ticket prices and group visit information.

08/26/2020

Are you a member of @friendsofthechicagoriver or looking to become one? Join us tomorrow for a sneak peak at the new Bridgehouse Museum exhibits - designed by @space_haus - from 12pm to 7pm. Not a member? You can become one at the front desk! #bridgehousemuseum #chicago #chicagomuseums #chicagoriverwalk #chicagobridges

08/26/2020

Membership - Donate - Friends of the Chicago River

This Thursday from noon to 7 p.m. is the Grand Reopening All Members Preview Day at the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum - FREE to all Friends members.
Become a member of Friends today and enjoy the special preview day this Thursday.
McComick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
Members Preview Day
Thursday, August 27, 2020
Noon to 7 p.m.
99 Chicago Riverwalk, Chicago (Michigan & Wacker)
Main Entrance Riverwalk Level
Free to members
https://www.chicagoriver.org/donate/membership

We're thrilled that you would like to add your voice to the growing and diverse chorus calling for a cleaner, healthier Chicago River system. We can't thank you enough for your involvement and support of Friends of the Chicago River's mission!  

08/24/2020

Chicago River Museum opens for season with refreshed exhibits and more fish

We are happy to announce that we will be opening our doors for the 2020 season next Thursday, September 3rd. We will be operating on a 3-day a week schedule and have put in place increased safety measures for our guests and staff. Thank you to Loop North for covering our ribbon cutting event last Friday. For more information, please see our website.

https://www.loopnorth.com/news/river0824.htm

Friends of the Chicago River says there has been a 'dramatic turnaround' of the health of the Chicago River.

07/27/2020

Thanks StreetWise!

StreetWise is BACK IN PRINT! Make sure to visit you favorite vendor TODAY and pick up our special Michigan Avenue Bridge Centennial Story!

McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
Chicago Architecture Center
YWCA Metropolitan Chicago

07/01/2020

Fun fact: if even just one boat signs up for a lift day, CDOT will still proceed with the lift procession from Ashland Avenue all the way to Lake Michigan. This was from today, July 1st, 2020.

06/17/2020

06/17/2020

We plan to livestream the bridge lift today so keep an eye on our page for the video! It is difficult to predict a time but likely between 11am and 1pm. Thank you!

05/21/2020

Newsletters - Patrick T. McBriarty

A special gift from our friends behind the documentary Chicago Drawbridges:

During the COVID-19 pandemic you can view the documentary Chicago Drawbridges online for FREE! A LINK to the film is is provided on the Thank You for Subscribing page that follows.

Co-producers Stephen Hatch and Patrick McBriarty wanted to share this uplifting story of Chicago through the lens of its bridges as a Special Release and respite from these uncertain times.

We hope you will enjoy it.

http://pmcbriarty.com/about-2/newsletters/

Subscribe to Our Mailing List Please register to learn more receive occasional updates and blog posts about McBriarty’s work and his creative partnerships with Hatch Werks LLC and the Windy City Historians podcast. During the COVID-19 pandemic you can view the documentary Chicago Drawbridges onlin...

05/14/2020

Happy 100th Anniversary to the DuSable Bridge

Friends of the Chicago River presents a 100th anniversary celebration of the opening of DuSable Bridge featuring city officials, historians, and musicians. Hosted by our McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum.

05/14/2020

DuSable Bridge, Chicago’s Most Famous, Turns 100 Thursday

Thank you to Block Club Chicago for this great article on the 100th! Join us tonight at 7pm here for the livestreamed program.

https://blockclubchicago.org/2020/05/14/dusable-bridge-chicagos-most-famous-turns-100-thursday/

The Michigan Avenue bridge over the Chicago River opened in the wake of the Spanish Flu epidemic.

05/14/2020

The DuSable Bridge is Turning 100, And We’re All Invited to the Virtual Party

Join us at 7pm tonight for a special livestream celebration! Right here on our FB page. And thank you to WTTW - Chicago PBS for the coverage this morning.

https://news.wttw.com/2020/05/14/chicago-history-dusable-bridge-turns-100-years-old

The bridge, which spans the Chicago River at Michigan Avenue, paved the way for development of Chicago’s Magnificent Mile. Tune in at 7 p.m. Thursday to celebrate its past and present.

05/13/2020

Column: Chicago’s DuSable Bridge, originally the Michigan Avenue Bridge, turns 100 Thursday. Here’s why the centennial matters.

Thank you to Blair Kamin for this great article in the Chicago Tribune this morning. Please tune in tomorrow night at 7pm here on our FB page for a program celebrating 100 years of the DuSable Bridge!

https://www.chicagotribune.com/columns/blair-kamin/ct-biz-dusable-bridge-turns-100-kamin-20200513-7bw5i5btzzfdtn5mkkvhmtxu3u-story.html

A graceful masterpiece of form and function, the span over the Chicago River both reflects the city's history and changed the way it was built.

05/13/2020

Join us this Thursday evening here on our page for a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the opening of the DuSable Bridge. View the trailer for a sneak peak at some of our special guests.

05/08/2020

Chicago River Day - Volunteer - Get Involved - Friends of the Chicago River

Did you know that litter on the street could be one rainstorm away from being litter in the river? Tomorrow kicks off the Chicago River Day Summer Challenge. Find out more info on how we have adjusted Chicago River Day to the COVID-19 restrictions.

https://www.chicagoriver.org/get-involved/volunteer/chicago-river-day-2020

05/07/2020

One week from today, the DuSable Bridge (formally, Michigan Avenue Bridge) turns 100 years old. The bridge opened on May 14th, 1920 to great fanfare. While we are unable to celebrate the 100th anniversary of this momentous occasion in person, we will be celebrating virtually. Join us here on Thursday, May 14th at 7pm CST for a special livestream birthday party featuring special guests ranging from historians, musicians, architects, City of Chicago officials, and more! Keep an eye out for more information coming over the next week.

*Photo credit and exact date is unknown, but provided by Wendella. Photo of the bridge from the north side of the Chicago River.

04/22/2020

Happy Earth Day to everyone! While we may be inside, we are still able to celebrate the great strides that have been made to restore nature and our Chicago River for people, plants, and animals. We look forward to reopening eventually this year and continuing our efforts. Photo taken during our Earth Day Cruise last year with @wendellaboats #earthday #happyearthday #chicagoriver #chicago #bridgehousemuseum #wendella #bluegreencorridor

04/02/2020

We hope that everyone is staying healthy, safe, and staying inside if you are able to. We will be opening this season as soon as it is deemed safe, so keep an eye on our page and website for updates. This season we will have brand new exhibits from @space_haus along with all of our signatures events and tours. Remember we are also available as a rental for private events/parties as well. #bridgehousemuseum #chicagomuseums #chicagoriverwalk #smallmuseums #chicagoriver #chicagobridges

03/17/2020

Friends of the Chicago River

Even as we were imagining how to keep on celebrating St. Patrick's Day without a green river someone took it upon themselves to pour dye into the Upper North Branch.

Dyeing the river breaks the laws of the Clean Water Act, and who knows what was in it?

This photo was taken Saturday, March 14 a few blocks south of Foster and west of Kimball. Ask your friends and neighbors what they saw where and we will share it with the appropriate authorities. Photos, times, and locations can go to [email protected]. Thank you!

#cleanwater #healthyrivers #happyfish

02/12/2020

Friends of the Chicago River

If you look closely at things, you may be surprised by what you see. Consider the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago 's Great Train Story exhibit.This huge train set presents 2,200 miles of scenery and stories from Chicago to Seattle along 1,400 feet of winding track.
Friends' board president Sally Fletcher recently spotted a certain museum we're all fond of -- Friends' McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Wacker on the Chicago Riverwalk.
The real Bridgehouse museum opens May 9 and the 2020 season is going to be extra special! We've refreshed some of the exhibits and added better lighting to give visitors an even better experience exploring the great history of the Chicago River and its bridgehouses. Put it on your to-do list for this summer!
http://www.bridgehousemuseum.org/

02/10/2020

Employment with Friends - Job Opportunities - Get Involved - Friends of the Chicago River

Friends of the Chicago River is hiring a Communication Director. Please see the job ad here and pass this along to possible candidates.

https://www.chicagoriver.org/get-involved/job-opportunities/employment-with-friends

Thank you for your interest in Friends of the Chicago River. Our award-winning nonprofit is the only organization exclusively dedicated to improving and protecting the Chicago River. 

01/30/2020

Chicago Riverwalk gaining its first indoor dining space when Beat Kitchen opens new location this spring

We are excited to have a new neighbor opening this season - Beat Kitchen Riverwalk will be sharing our patio space and offering food, a full bar, and the only indoor dining space on the Chicago Riverwalk. Combine a trip to the museum with a stop at the Beat Kitchen this season.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct-food-beat-kitchen-riverwalk-chicago-new-20200129-ozxw574uqffp7dlvgm2jk3py24-story.html

After 30 years on Belmont, Beat Kitchen — one of Chicago’s beloved music and dining venues — will be shaking a leg to the downtown riverfront in spring.

01/22/2020

Friends of the Chicago River

A reporter recently asked us, "So what's the big deal about native plants vs non-native plants?"
One big deal is that natives absorb water better, helping keep
pollution from running into the river. This absorption power , can also help reduce flooding by soaking up rainfall and melting snow before the sewage system gets overwhelmed.
These graphics help tell the story.