Sure, your friends will listen politely as you describe your trip to the Art Institute to see paint on the walls. However, you’ll captivate them with stories of visiting the Red Spanking Bench and the world’s largest jug collection. Here are 10 beyond-the-norm museums in Chicago that give new meaning to niche experiences. Most of these are free, making them great for budget-conscious explorers.
American Toby Jug Museum
In case you’re wondering, a Toby jug is a ceramic pitcher shaped like a chubby old guy wearing a tri-cornered hat and 18th-century garb. Over the centuries, the jugs took on other personas, such as John F. Kennedy, Joseph Stalin, or even a sad-eyed puppy. With some 8000 jugs – the world’s largest collection, born of one man’s passion – tucked away in a basement in Evanston, the American Toby Jug Museum offers mind-blowing tours that can stoke your thirst for unique stories.
The McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
From May through October, explore Chicago’s iconic movable bridge system at the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum. This gem, hidden in plain sight along the recently revamped Riverwalk, provides tours that progress upward through the bridgehouse, offering a front row view of the bridge’s colossal gear system and culminating with a sweeping view of the river. Check the schedule to plan a visit that coincides with an impressive bridge lift. Admission is free on Sundays; regular admission is $5.
Oriental Institute
The University of Chicago’s renowned archaeologists fill their headquarters with antiquities unearthed from Egypt, Nubia, Persia, and Mesopotamia. King Tut stands impressively tall at 17 feet, overseeing mummies, clay tablets, and canopic jars. Visit the Oriental Institute for a glimpse of the treasures on display, where recommended admission is $10.
Money Museum
Pop into the small gallery inside the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and you’ll emerge richer than when you entered. The Money Museum provides a bag of moolah to take home (even if it’s shredded) while sharing intriguing knowledge, such as who’s on the $10,000 bill (answer: Salmon P. Chase, Lincoln’s treasury secretary). Capture a picture with the million-dollar briefcase filled with Benjamins for a memorable experience.
International Museum of Surgical Science
The International Museum of Surgical Science showcases a slightly creepy collection of amputation saws and other medical tools in a Gold Coast mansion. From the ancient Roman vaginal speculum to pointy-ended hemorrhoid surgery instruments, the exhibits leave a lasting impression. Medical art is celebrated here with sculptures and murals. Admission is free for Illinois residents on Tuesdays; otherwise, it’s $15.
Leather Archives and Museum
The Leather Archives and Museum offers scholarly displays about leather, fetish, and S&M subcultures in a repurposed synagogue. Experience the Red Spanking Bench, designed to cater to all preferences, and art like the piece Last Supper in a Leather Bar with Judas Giving Christ the Finger. Regular admission is $10.
Busy Beaver Button Museum
Even George Washington had flair, albeit in an era of sew-on campaign buttons. The Busy Beaver Button Museum chronicles the history of pin-back buttons since 1896, showcasing thousands of these little round mementos. Everything from Dale Bozzio to Bozo the clown is displayed. The museum captivates with its funky vibe and gracious staff, eager to assist visitors.
Antique Fabricare Museum
Top honors for Chicago’s quirkiest museum go to the Antique Fabricare Museum, located within the Pert Cleaners (4213 W Irving Park Rd) in Irving Park. A treasure trove of old-school laundry paraphernalia can be found here, from primitive irons to hand-cranked agitators, offering a newfound appreciation for modern conveniences.
Chicago Sports Museum
To understand Chicago’s tortured sports psyche, immerse yourself in memorabilia-filled cases at the Chicago Sports Museum above Water Tower Place mall. Fans can revel in artifacts from the historic 2016 World Series, examine Sammy Sosa’s corked bat, and learn about the infamous Bartman ball. Admission costs $10, but it’s free if you dine at the attached restaurant.
National Museum of Mexican Art
This unique institution features docents roaming the galleries ready to explain varied art forms, including a semen-acrylic style of painting (that’s bodily fluids mixed with pigments). The National Museum of Mexican Art is the nation’s largest Latino arts center, filled with rich folk art and psychedelic op art canvases.
Article originally published in April 2013 and updated by Cate Huguelet in 2018.
