Illinois Chronicles Part 2: Exploring Historical Landmarks in Anticipation of the Nation’s 250th Anniversary

Chicago and Illinois have left a significant imprint on the fabric of American history, and there’s now an engaging way to delve into their rich past. Illinois Humanities has introduced a unique “passport” designed to showcase pivotal sites throughout the Chicagoland area.

As the nation gears up to commemorate its 250th anniversary, this initiative invites you to embark on a journey through history. Our exploration continues with a visit to the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture, a poignant stop on this historical tour.

The museum serves as a tribute to the Puerto Rican diaspora, offering a mosaic of stories that weave together themes of colonialism, resistance, and survival. Alyssa Corrigan-Cuadrado of the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture emphasizes that it is also a celebration of cultural roots and heritage.

In part two of our tour, we begin at the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture.

“It’s highlighting the Puerto Rican diaspora as a collage of histories of colonialism, resistance and survival. But it’s also honoring, a celebration of our roots,” Alyssa Corrigan-Cuadrado with the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts & Culture.

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As the United States gears up to celebrate its 250th birthday, the museum is inviting artists to show off their unique culture.

“This is an exhibit that is very much intentionally designed to tap into, right, the hearts of the Chicago Puerto Ricans, but also the Puerto Ricans that are coming from Ohio,” Corrigan Cuadrado said.

Puerto Rico is a U.S territory and has been since 1898. The museum includes multiple installations, like this one, that pay homage to how Spanish culture merged with Puerto Rican and much more.

Then we move to The Chicago History Museum, where “US at 250: Civic Action in Chicago” is on display. One exhibition in particular, highlights the Latino community, as a whole.

“It chronicles the ways that Latino people within the state of Illinois, and in particular the city of Chicago, have engaged in varied types of civic action, whether it’s through direct protests, art making, placemaking, establishing businesses,” Erica Griffin, the Elizabeth F. Cheney Director of Education.
You can also see a copy of the Northwest Ordinance. The document that helped establish Illinois as a state and banned enslavement in the area.

“And what we hope that people take away from our project is that the development of Chicago is an echo of the nation,” Griffin said.

Then there’s the Newberry Library, where the “Free & Independent” exhibition lives. Inside you can find all kinds of original documents central to the founding of the nation.

“When we say original, we mean original,” Will Hansen of the Newberry Library said. “So these are real things that are 250 or so years old. Printed or in some cases handwritten by The people who were there at the time, making this revolution happen in the what is now the United States of America.

And last but not least, Graceland Cemetery on Chicago’s North Side. It’s one of the city’s most historic resting places. Known for its landscaped grounds and striking monuments, it became the final home for many of Chicago’s most influential figures, including architects and business leaders.

Next week, we’ll explore even more stops featured in the passport released by the Illinois America 250 Commission.

For more information, visit https://www.il250.org/passport.