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All the United States Illinois Chicago Pritzker Military Museum & Library

Pritzker Military Museum & Library

A military museum and library dedicated to the citizen soldier.

Chicago, Illinois

Added By
Rebekah Otto
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Entrance to Monroe Building  
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
1st floor elevator lobby ceiling   DancJen531 / Atlas Obscura User
  Collector of Experiences / Atlas Obscura User
1st floor entry lobby ceiling   DancJen531 / Atlas Obscura User
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About

The citizen soldier has long been an important part of American military history. During the Revolutionary War, the idea of the citizen soldier stood in opposition to the Hessian mercenaries and British standing army, which harassed the American colonists. An important part of the ethos of the burgeoning American democracy, the citizen soldier represented the will of the people. Today, the idea is best exemplified by the National Guard, volunteers serving to defend the nation without becoming full-time professional soldiers.

Chicago's Pritzker Military Museum & Library is a unique collection focusing on "the concept of the citizen soldier as an essential element for the preservation of democracy." Opened in 2003, the library offers over 25,000 volumes on the citizen soldier, mainly from the 20th century, as well as original military posters, recruitment art, magazine and soldiers' journals. Swords and other memorabilia from the Civil War, including glass negatives, are held in the collection. The Pritzker also boasts many artifacts related to the British statesman Winston Churchill.

In 2009, the Pritzker received the National Medal for Museum and Library Science. 

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Second floor of the beautiful Monroe Building. $10 donations requested. They are open Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Community Contributors

Added By

Rebekah Otto

Edited By

Dagny, DancJen531, cguttery, BryanKnight...

  • Dagny
  • DancJen531
  • cguttery
  • BryanKnight
  • sschwartz
  • Collector of Experiences
  • Odysseus
  • Julius Spada

Published

November 1, 2009

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Sources
  • http://www.pritzkermilitary.org/
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pritzker_Military_Library
  • https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/
  • http://wayfaringviews.com/book-nerds-guide-4-museums-in-chicago/
Pritzker Military Museum & Library
104 South Michigan Ave
Chicago, Illinois, 60603
United States
41.880595, -87.624657
Visit Website
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