Free: All time
The Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows is a permanent exhibition which opened in February 2000 at Chicago’s Navy Pier entertainment complex. It is the first American museum dedicated solely to the art of stained glass windows. The museum holds over 150 individual pieces and the majority of the works originally came from Chicago-area buildings. A number of prominent artists are represented, including John LaFarge, Adolfas Valeška, and Ed Paschke. The collection contains religious themes, secular work, and some more unusual items, including a stained glass portrait of basketball player Michael Jordan and a window created from glass soda bottles. Since each piece is protected by a layer of bulletproof glass, patrons are encouraged to come close to the works and are even allowed to bring food into the galleries.
Address: 600 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Opening hours: Sun – Thu 10am – 8pm; Fri – Sat 10am – 10pm
Direction: CTA Bus No. 29/65/66/1/124 to Navy Pier Station
Phone: +1 (312) 595-5024
Website: www.driehausmuseum.org/about/view/navy_pier
Photo credit: Caitriana Nicholson (Flickr CC)
