The Chicago Cultural Center - From Library to Landmark
- 123gochicago
- Nov 2
- 3 min read
The Chicago Cultural Center, wasn’t always a place for concerts and art exhibits. When it opened in 1897, this grand Beaux-Arts masterpiece was actually the first home of the Chicago Public Library. Its story begins not just with architecture, but with rebirth.
After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, nearly every public institution in the city was destroyed — including the small but growing library collection.In a remarkable act of generosity, the people of England donated over 8,000 books to help rebuild Chicago’s literary resources.
These books became the foundation for what would soon become the Chicago Public Library. For years, the collection moved from temporary spaces until the city decided to build a permanent home worthy of its civic pride. That home would be the building we now know as the Chicago Cultural Center.
Designed by the Boston firm Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge, the building was meant to reflect knowledge, culture, and beauty — ideals the young city wanted to embody.
When it opened in 1897, its marble staircases, mosaic floors, and vaulted domes were hailed as symbols of Chicago’s progress and resilience. The exterior — clad in granite, limestone, and marble — was inspired by classical Greek and Italian Renaissance design. Inside, shimmering glass mosaics covered nearly every surface, from ceilings to columns.
It was truly a “palace for the people.”
The building’s crowning jewel is the Preston Bradley Hall dome, created by the Tiffany Glass and Decorating Company. Measuring 38 feet across and made of more than 60,000 pieces of iridescent glass, it remains one of the largest Tiffany domes in the world.
Each piece of glass was hand-cut and arranged in intricate patterns inspired by nature. When sunlight passes through, the colors shift like water — transforming the entire hall below into a kaleidoscope of light.
A second dome, designed by Healy & Millet, caps the Grand Army of the Republic Memorial Hall — a tribute to Civil War veterans. Together, the two domes make this building one of the most extraordinary architectural interiors in Chicago.
By the 1970s, Chicago had outgrown its original library building. The book collection and services were spread across temporary branches, and the city needed a modern central library. In 1977, the Chicago Public Library moved to a new downtown location — eventually becoming the Harold Washington Library Center, which opened in 1991 in the South Loop.
But instead of being demolished, the old library building found a new life.
The city designated it the Chicago Cultural Center, transforming it into a public space for art, music, theater, and community gatherings. It became the first free municipal cultural venue in the United States — a place where everyone could experience creativity, regardless of background or income.
Today, the Chicago Cultural Center hosts more than 1,000 free programs each year, from classical concerts and gallery exhibits to lectures and dance performances.It remains one of the best free attractions in Chicago — and one of the city’s most photogenic spots for architecture lovers.
As you step inside, it’s easy to imagine the thousands of Chicagoans who once came here to read, learn, and dream. The building still carries that spirit of discovery — just in a new form.
Visit in the late afternoon when sunlight floods through the Tiffany dome for the most magical glow. And don’t forget to peek into the second dome upstairs — it’s often quieter and just as stunning.
Chicago Cultural Center
78 E. Washington
Chicago, IL 60602
Discover More Hidden Gems
For more hidden gems check out my book Chicago Beyond the Bean, available now. It’s filled with stories that take you beyond the typical tourist spots to explore the city’s most fascinating corners.
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