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The Daily Insight

What is the Museum of Science and Industry known for?

Author

David Craig

Updated on April 05, 2026

The museum has major exhibits on mining, automobiles, telecommunications, aviation and aeronautics, space travel, agriculture, time, and medicine. It also has a 3,000-square-foot (280-square-metre) model railroad and a World War II German U-505 submarine. Many of the exhibits are interactive.

Are the museums in Chicago still open?

Chicago is fully open, and we’re excited to welcome visitors and residents to experience all the city has to offer. In accordance with the latest state and CDC guidelines, our museums, restaurants, attractions, and more are all open with no required capacity limits.

When was the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago built?

1933
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago/Founded
The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI) was founded in 1933 and has celebrated more than 85 years of “inspiring the inventive genius” in our more than 190 million guests. Below are some highlights of our hands-on history and a peek at the amazing exhibits, experiences and memories that make MSI so unique.

Are the fetuses at Museum of Science and Industry Real?

A highlight of Your Beginning is the return of Prenatal Development, the Museum’s timeless collection of 24 real human embryos and fetuses.

Why was the Museum of Science and Industry built?

Many were trained at the famous Ecole des Beaux Arts, an influential architecture and art school in Paris. Originally built to serve as the Palace of Fine Arts, The Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) is organized in the form of a cross with a large dome rising above its center.

Is the coal mine at the Museum of Science and Industry Real?

Since 1933, Coal Mine has taken MSI guests down the mineshaft, along the rails, and through the walls of a true-to-life coal mine. It was the Museum’s very first exhibit, and it’s been a guest favorite ever since.

How many museums are in Houston?

With over 150 museums and cultural institutions in the Greater Houston area, museums are a large part of Houston’s cultural scene. Houston’s diverse museums cover everything from nature, art, science, history and more.

How big is Museum of Science and Industry?

The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago—one of the largest science museums in the world—is home to more than 400,000 square feet of hands-on exhibits designed to spark scientific inquiry and creativity.

How was the Museum of Science and Industry built?

Unlike the other “White City” buildings, it was constructed with a brick substructure under its plaster facade. After the World’s Fair, it initially housed the Columbian Museum, which evolved into the Field Museum of Natural History.

Who funds the Museum of Science and Industry?

Griffin Charitable Fund. CHICAGO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago (MSI) today announced a $125 million gift from the Kenneth C. Griffin Charitable Fund, the largest single gift in the Museum’s history. In recognition of this historic gift, the Museum will become the Kenneth C.