Northwest Quiz: Midwestern Museums

From roadside attractions to world-class displays, our local museums provide incredible insight into art, culture, science, local history and much more. See if you can identify some of these unique Chicagoland collections, and then visit for yourself to learn more! No Peeking! Answers are located below.

QUIZ QUESTIONS

1. What Chicago landmark is the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere?

2. The former Aurora Central Fire Station now houses which museum?

3. Where can you find Fred Flintstone’s Flintmobile, from the 1994 blockbuster film?

4. Where in Chicago can you find visual art that demonstrates spiritual ideals?

5. Where is a trolley the main attraction?
6. What is the second-largest art gallery in the U.S.?

7. Who hosts the largest Civil War re-enactment in Illinois?

8. What museum captures Chicago life through 33 photographers’ lenses?

9. Where in the suburbs can you see mounted animals from North America, Africa and the Ice Age?

10. America’s National Radio Hall of Fame Gallery is located in which Chicago institution?

 

 

QUIZ ANSWERS

1. The Museum of Science and Industry, 5700 S. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago, (773) 684-1414. This science center carries more than 35,000 objects representing the growth and impact of historical scientific achievement. Its interactive, kid-friendly exhibits emphasize science, engineering, technology and medicine.

2. Aurora Regional Fire Museum, 53 N. Broadway St., Aurora, (630) 892-1572. This former firehouse tells the story of local responders, through a collection of 2,000 photographs and more than 1,000 objects. One of the museum’s chief goals is to educate visitors about fire safety.

3. Volo Auto Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo, (815) 385-3644, volocars.com. In addition to the Flintmobile, the collection of famous cars includes the 1989 Batmobile and the Chevrolet Camaro used in the film 22 Jump Street.

4. Loyola University Museum of Art, 820 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, (312) 915-7600. Located on the university’s Mag Mile campus, this museum’s collection explores spiritual questions from world faiths, dating from pre-Christianity through the modern era. The lobby’s stained glass collection represents five major religions: Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam and Hinduism.

5. Fox River Trolley Museum, 365 S. La Fox St., South Elgin, (847) 697-4676. A celebration of this 20th century vehicle, the museum’s trolley cars transport visitors along the same Fox River Line that once carried riders from Carpentersville to Yorkville.

6. The Art Institute of Chicago, 111 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, (312) 443-3600. With two lion statues guarding its entrance, this 135-year-old museum is the largest collection in America, second only to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

7. Lake County Discovery Museum, 27277 N. Forest Preserve Road, Wauconda, (847) 968-3400, lcfpd.org/discovery_museum/. Actors re-create the Civil War every July as part of Civil War Days. Inside the museum, visitors can see the largest public collection of postcards, and learn about 10,000 years of Lake County history.

8. Museum of Contemporary Photography, 600 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, (312) 663-5554. This diverse collection encompasses many photo technologies and styles, from Depression-era documentaries to life on Chicago’s streets. The Midwestern collection highlights undiscovered talents in our region.

9. Midwest Museum of Natural History, 425 W. State St., Sycamore, (815) 895-9777, mmnh.org. After seeing more than 50 mounted mammals, reptiles and birds in dioramas, visitors can meet live animals downstairs, including lizards, turtles and snakes.

10. Museum of Broadcast Communications, 360 N. State St., Chicago, (312) 245-8200. The museum maintains the National Radio Hall of Fame Gallery, and presents the history of American television and radio. It houses the door from Oprah Winfrey’s television show, along with items from classic WGN shows, such as “Bozo’s Circus.” Inside are working television and radio studios.