90th Anniversary

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY CELEBRATES 90TH ANNIVERSARY, OPENS NEW EXHIBIT HIGHLIGHTING THE PAST AND FUTURE OF CHICAGO’S ICONIC SCIENCE MUSUEM

CHICAGO (June 21, 2023) - The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (Griffin MSI) is inviting guests to take a walk back in time in a new exhibit that celebrates the history of the Museum in honor of its 90th anniversary. The exhibit, 90 & Beyond: Our Stories, Your Griffin MSI, features artifacts from all nine decades of the Museum's history, including a 1977 Atari 2600 Gaming System that shaped the gaming world we know today and the Transparent Anatomical Mannikin (TAM) made famous by Nirvana's In Utero album cover.

The Museum is also holding an open call for the public to share their favorite Griffin MSI memories—from first visits and impactful exhibit experiences to how the Museum shaped their future. To share a memory, guests can visit msichicago.org/mymsistory and submit a story and photo for a chance to be featured on the Griffin MSI website and social channels.

"As we celebrate our anniversary this month and throughout the coming year, we honor the past, celebrate the present, and embrace the future of the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry," said Chevy Humphrey, President and CEO of Griffin MSI. "May it continue to be a place where dreams take flight, where minds are ignited, and where the wonders of science and discovery are unlocked, as we turn 90, and beyond."

In the new, limited-run exhibit, guests can discover the stories behind each of its nine featured artifacts, many of which have not been publicly viewable for years. Told from each artifact's perspective, the curated objects reflect important cultural, historical and technological moments in history. The exhibit will also include QR codes throughout for guests to hear audio recordings—voices of Griffin MSI's employees and volunteers—of each artifact's story.

The museum officially commenced its birthday celebrations with guests visiting on June 19 and will continue throughout the year, including during its annual Columbian Ball, on September 30.

Griffin MSI first opened its doors to the world on June 19, 1933 in a restored building from the 1893 Columbian Exposition. Founded by philanthropist Julius Rosenwald, the Museum was inspired by the Deutsches Museum in Munich, Germany, which featured buttons, levers and pulleys that guests were encouraged to manipulate to truly learn how things worked. Upon opening, Griffin MSI became the first interactive museum in North America and remains the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere.

For more information about the 90 & Beyond: Our Stories, Your Griffin MSI exhibition and the Museum's 90th anniversary celebrations, <link explore whats-here exhibits>visit Griffin MSI's website here.

About the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry

The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (Griffin MSI) offers world-class and uniquely interactive experiences that support the Museum’s mission: to inspire the inventive genius in everyone. As one of the largest science museums in the world featuring award-winning exhibits and hands-on activities, a visit to Griffin MSI is guaranteed to connect fun and learning. Griffin MSI is committed to offering comprehensive educational programs—for students, administrators, teachers and families—that make a difference in local communities and contribute to Griffin MSI’s goal to transform and illuminate STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) pathways for people of all ages. The Museum is grateful for the support of its generous donors and guests, who make its work possible. Griffin MSI is also supported in part by the people of Chicago through the Chicago Park District. For more information, visit msichicago.org or call (773) 684-1414.

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