Bridgehouse Museum Marks 20 Years of Connecting Chicagoans to the River

Freinds of the Chicago River celebrated the 20th anniversary of the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum on July 25 with a day of festivities that honored two decades of inspiring residents and visitors to discover the history, engineering, and remarkable ecological transformation of the Chicago-Calumet River system. The celebration featured activities throughout the day on the museum's Riverwalk plaza, culminating in a special anniversary cake-cutting ceremony at noon.

The anniversary celebration recognized the museum’s role as a cultural and educational anchor for the Chicago Riverwalk and reaffirmed its mission to connect people to the river through engaging exhibits, storytelling, and hands-on experiences that inspire the protection and restoration of the river system.

“The Bridgehouse Museum has introduced hundreds of thousands of people to the incredible story of the Chicago-Calumet River system and the remarkable transformation made possible when education, action, and advocacy inspire people to protect and restore the river system,” said Margaret Frisbie, executive director of Friends of the Chicago River. “For 20 years, the Bridgehouse Museum has inspired visitors to see the river as a thriving natural wonder that belongs to everyone. We look forward to welcoming new generations of visitors as we continue connecting people to the river system and its ongoing renaissance.”

Located inside the southwest bridgehouse of Chicago's historic DuSable Bridge at Michigan Avenue, the museum has welcomed more than 400,000 visitors since opening in 2006. Guests explored five floors of exhibits highlighting the river's past, present, and future while experiencing the inner workings of one of Chicago's iconic movable bridges. The museum continues to offer a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn about the engineering that keeps the bridge operating, the history of the river, and the extraordinary environmental revival that has transformed the Chicago-Calumet River system.

Find out more at bridgehousemuseum.org.