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It closes early at 3pm on Thanksgiving Eve, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.","Center and Holiday Hours",{"bottomLink":294,"cta":307,"iconLinks":317},{"left":295,"right":304},[296,298,300,301],{"label":297,"link":177},"FAQs",{"label":173,"link":299},"/about/contact-us",{"label":43,"link":44},{"label":302,"link":303},"Newsletter Sign-up","/subscribe",[305],{"label":306,"link":36},"Docent & Volunteer Portal",{"button":308,"description":312,"image":313,"title":316},{"label":309,"link":310,"title":311},"Get on board!","https://www.architecture.org/city-tours/river-cruise","Go to river cruise landing page","Be ready for the first departure of the season on March 15!",{"alt":314,"src":315},"Grand tour boat with tourists seated and graphic of skyscrapers in background.","https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2Fe61abde79d954ddab2b6092044c4b5a1%2F21a8b82c6c5d40ea9e0bd61e8f800948","Tickets on sale now!",[318,322,324],{"icon":319,"label":320,"link":321},"https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/file/assets%2Fe61abde79d954ddab2b6092044c4b5a1%2F53693c97fea141e5a6708ff86ff306bf","Calendar","/calendar",{"icon":323,"label":25,"link":26},"https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/file/assets%2Fe61abde79d954ddab2b6092044c4b5a1%2F090fb84be62342a69184791ea102a702",{"icon":325,"label":326,"link":86},"https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/file/assets%2Fe61abde79d954ddab2b6092044c4b5a1%2F6460da61a1db460588bd3549fdea03b8","Shop",{"commonResults":328,"defaultSearchLabel":344,"resultsLabel":345},[329,333,336,340],{"description":330,"model":331,"title":332,"url":177},"Find answers to your questions related to the CAC","webpage","Frequently Asked Questions",{"description":334,"model":331,"title":335,"url":73},"View center hours, location and other helpful info","Plan Your Visit",{"description":337,"model":338,"title":339,"url":55},"View boat departure times, location and more helpful details","tour","Book a River Cruise",{"description":341,"model":342,"title":343,"url":321},"From tours to educational programs, exhibitions and more, find something fun to do based on your available dates","calendar","CAC Calendar of Events","Common Search Results","Your Search Results",{"facebook":347,"instagram":348,"linkedin":349,"pinterest":350,"tiktok":351,"x":352,"youtube":353},"https://www.facebook.com/chiarchitecture","https://www.instagram.com/chiarchitecture","https://www.linkedin.com/company/chicago-architecture-center/","https://www.pinterest.com/chiarchitecture/","https://www.tiktok.com/@chiarchitecture","https://twitter.com/chiarchitecture","https://www.youtube.com/@ChicagoArchitecture","Due to weather, all tours are cancelled and the Center will be closed January 16, 2024",{"accessibilityMessage":356,"buttonLabel":357,"selectTicketType":358},"\u003Cp>\n  To request accessibility accommodations, please\n  \u003Ca href=\"/about/contact-us\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">contact us\u003C/a>.\n\u003C/p>\n","Buy Tickets",{"label":359,"message":360},"Select ticket type","\u003Cp>\n  CAC members must login to access special ticket pricing. 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about the Chicago Architecture Center’s history, mission and growth from its founding to today through a detailed timeline and archival overview.",[575,595,605,616,624,632],{"@type":576,"@version":457,"id":577,"component":578,"responsiveStyles":588},"@builder.io/sdk:Element","builder-7bc155f1e6114fef88f04ad7450cced2",{"name":579,"options":580,"isRSC":587},"Internal Page Hero",{"showAwards":14,"headline":581,"image":582,"redCard":585},"OUR HISTORY",{"src":583,"alt":584},"https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2Fe61abde79d954ddab2b6092044c4b5a1%2Fc20d08a9b2374780bc4766579978bde1","Exterior shot of the Chicago Architecture Center with large glass windows for the first 2 stories and large black steel columns",{"copy":586},"\u003Cp>The Chicago Architecture Center, originally the Chicago Architecture Foundation, has evolved over the years to become a leading institution in architectural education and public programs.\u003C/p>",null,{"large":589},{"display":590,"flexDirection":591,"position":592,"flexShrink":593,"boxSizing":594},"flex","column","relative","0","border-box",{"@type":576,"@version":457,"id":596,"component":597,"responsiveStyles":603},"builder-9bbca2f06eac40cfb7b03a5692bb1d9a",{"name":598,"options":599,"isRSC":587},"Text",{"padding":600,"backgroundColor":601,"text":602},"half","bg-gray-100","\u003Ch4>Our mission is to inspire people to discover why design matters.\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>The Chicago Architecture Center (CAC) was founded in 1966 as the Chicago Architecture Foundation to save the historic \u003Ca href=\"https://www.architecture.org/learn/resources/buildings-of-chicago/building/glessner-house/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Glessner House\u003C/a>. Since then, the CAC has grown to become one of the largest cultural organizations in Chicago. For over 60 years, 450 educator volunteers including docents, exhibit hosts and education guides have shared the stories of Chicago architecture with millions of Chicagoans and visitors. The CAC serves approximately 500,000 guests and audience members annually.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Visit the CAC at 111 E. Wacker Dr. to view our 4,250-building \u003Ca href=\"https://www.architecture.org/exhibits/exhibit/chicago-model-experience/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">scale model of Chicago\u003C/a>, shop in our award-winning store or participate in a fun family event in our Design Studio. Or choose from 80+ \u003Ca href=\"https://www.architecture.org/tours/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">tours\u003C/a> by boat, walking, bus or “L” train. Tours depart daily and are led by CAC's expert, volunteer \u003Ca href=\"https://www.architecture.org/join-give/volunteer/docents/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">docents\u003C/a>. Every October, check out the CAC's free annual \u003Ca href=\"/open-house-chicago\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Open House Chicago\u003C/a> festival.\u003C/p>\u003Cp>Proceeds from the CAC’s tours and store, as well as grants, sponsorships and \u003Ca href=\"https://cart.architecture.org/donate/q/support\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">donations\u003C/a>, support our educational mission.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4>Our Vision\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>The Chicago Architecture Center is the leading organization devoted to celebrating and promoting Chicago as a center of architectural innovation. As Chicago’s forum for the exchange of ideas on urban design, the CAC inspires people to participate in the building of vibrant communities and to demand the highest standard in urban design. The CAC awakens young people to achieve their potential through the discovery of architecture, engineering and design.\u003C/p>",{"large":604},{"display":590,"flexDirection":591,"position":592,"flexShrink":593,"boxSizing":594},{"@type":576,"@version":457,"id":606,"component":607,"responsiveStyles":613},"builder-4207c58b273d423fa2322f54a6751ed8",{"name":608,"options":609,"isRSC":587},"Video",{"headline":610,"videoEmbed":611,"videoCaption":612},"50 Year History of the Chicago Architecture Foundation","\u003Ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https://www.youtube.com/embed/mqc4VF_mdG4?si=nw_HLAsrJprjXncI\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen>\u003C/iframe>","In 2016, as CAC turned 50, we took a look at some of the defining milestones reached along the way. Since its founding days at Glessner House in 1966, CAC has been sharing the stories behind the buildings. We’ve strived for more than half a century to inspire people to discover why design matters in their communities, cities and lives.",{"large":614},{"display":590,"flexDirection":591,"position":592,"flexShrink":593,"boxSizing":594,"width":615},"100%",{"@type":576,"@version":457,"id":617,"component":618,"responsiveStyles":622},"builder-373c7d8674ff4909a44790f2364ad24e",{"name":598,"options":619,"isRSC":587},{"padding":620,"backgroundColor":601,"text":621},"no-top","\u003Ch2>CAC's HISTORY\u003C/h2>\u003Ch4>1966\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>A group of volunteers joins together to save H. H. Richardson's Glessner House from demolition. This effort led to the founding of the Chicago Architecture Foundation.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4>1971\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>The first class of 33 docents graduates from the CAF training program and begins to lead walking tours.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4>1982\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>The \u003Ca href=\"/events-programs/newhouse-architecture-and-design-competition\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Newhouse Architecture Competition\u003C/a> for high school students begins.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4>1983\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>CAF launches the first \u003Ca href=\"/city-tours/river-cruise\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">river cruise\u003C/a> about architecture.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4>1992\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>CAF moves to the Railway Exchange Building at \u003Ca href=\"/online-resources/buildings-of-chicago/railway-exchange-building\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">224 S. Michigan Avenue\u003C/a>.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4>1993\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>The \u003Ca href=\"/city-tours/river-cruise\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady\u003C/a> is born! Still running today, the river cruise is consistently voted the #1 tour in Chicago, and in North America.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4>2002\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>The award-winning \"\u003Ca href=\"/online-resources/educator-resources/schoolyards-to-skylines\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Schoolyards to Skylines\u003C/a>\" K-8 curriculum is published.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4>2009\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>The 320-square-foot \u003Ca href=\"/visit-the-center/exhibitions/chicago-city-model-experience\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chicago Model \u003C/a>is completed, featuring 400 blocks of the city and more than 1,000 Chicago buidings in miniature.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4>2011\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>CAF hosts the inaugural \u003Ca href=\"https://openhousechicago.org/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Open House Chicago\u003C/a>, a free citywide weekend festival - now the largest architecture event in the country.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4>2014\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>The ArcelorMittal Design Studio opens to serve as a collaborative learning space for students and families. LEGO donates 500,000 bricks for use in the space.\u003C/p>\u003Ch4>2018\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>The Chicago Architecture Center opens at \u003Ca href=\"/visit-the-center\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">111 E. Wacker\u003C/a>. With exhibitions, programs and events, the Center is a hub for all things architecture and a starting point for many tours. The Chicago Model expands to include more than 4,000 scale model buildings on a topographical platform. \u003C/p>\u003Ch4>2023\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>In its 10th year, CAC's annual premier family event \u003Ca href=\"https://www.architecture.org/events-programs/engineering-fest\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Engineering Fest\u003C/a> expands beyond the center and into Willis Tower, with more than 1,500 participants and volunteers from 20 local architecture and engineering firms. \u003C/p>\u003Ch4>2025\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>The CAC launches the \u003Ca href=\"https://www.architecture.org/events-programs/chicago-community-planning-academy\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Chicago Community Planning Academy\u003C/a> and produces \"\u003Ca href=\"https://www.architecture.org/stadium-working-group\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Win/Win: The New Game Plan for Urban Stadiums\u003C/a>,\" launching a new era of thought leadership in civics and the built environment. \u003C/p>",{"large":623},{"display":590,"flexDirection":591,"position":592,"flexShrink":593,"boxSizing":594},{"@type":576,"@version":457,"id":625,"component":626,"responsiveStyles":630},"builder-44599449c09147ae84e1397b1765f989",{"name":598,"options":627,"isRSC":587},{"padding":600,"backgroundColor":628,"text":629},"bg-white","\u003Ch4>Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, inclusion & Accessibility\u003C/h4>\u003Cp>CAC is committed to providing a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment for its staff, volunteers and visitors. We recognize and value the unique life experience that every individual brings to our organization, and the need to include and reflect diverse voices in CAC content and programming, especially those from historically excluded populations. We will uphold this commitment starting from within, by:\u003C/p>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>Building a culture of accountability and sharing, with opportunities for self-reflection.\u003C/li>\u003Cli>Educating ourselves about BIPOC histories, systemic racism, implicit bias and the need to adopt anti-racist actions.\u003C/li>\u003Cli>Creating brave spaces for staff to safely discuss thoughts and feelings about injustice, micro-aggressions or prejudiced behavior in constructive ways.\u003C/li>\u003Cli>Seeking to remove barriers to the recruitment, retention, and advancement of talented staff and volunteers from historically excluded populations who are currently underrepresented.\u003C/li>\u003Cli>Pursuing external input and feedback to incorporate inclusion into CAC’s strategic plan and organizational, departmental, and individual performance goals.\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>",{"large":631},{"display":590,"flexDirection":591,"position":592,"flexShrink":593,"boxSizing":594},{"id":633,"@type":576,"tagName":634,"properties":635,"responsiveStyles":640},"builder-pixel-z9absb917kg","img",{"src":636,"aria-hidden":637,"alt":638,"role":639,"width":593,"height":593},"https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/pixel?apiKey=e61abde79d954ddab2b6092044c4b5a1","true","","presentation",{"large":641},{"height":593,"width":593,"display":642,"opacity":593,"overflow":643,"pointerEvents":644},"block","hidden","none",{"deviceSize":646,"location":647},"large",{"pathname":156,"path":648,"query":651},[649,650],"about","our-history",{},{},1772467879375,1723224866608,"https://www.architecture.org/about/our-history","https://cdn.builder.io/api/v1/image/assets%2Fe61abde79d954ddab2b6092044c4b5a1%2F95223480541845a1a7c01a4bb5a4fc41","f08ykxmUMNUy3ElK6MR7xixtIYJ2","bYIT7ori0lQAHRlq8NHyhBL4MBy1","3fr7rnfumqn"]