Chicago Cultural Center
Chicago
The Chicago Cultural Center was built in 1897 as the city's first central public library. Since 1991 it has been an arts center open to everyone, with a great dome of colored glass.
Books after the fire
In 1871 a great fire destroyed the center of the city. Some English donors believed the library had burned too, and they sent thousands of books. In fact, Chicago didn't have a public library yet: those books were the start of its collection. For years they moved from place to place, until this building arrived in 1897.
The people's palace
It was designed by a Boston firm of architects, Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge. Outside, the stone is plain and pale. Inside, everything shines: marble from faraway places, brass, fine woods and big colorful decorations. Some of the decorations are inspired by monuments in Venice.
A dome of light
Above the hall on the south side is the Tiffany dome, 11 meters wide. It is the largest in the world made with the glass of Louis Comfort Tiffany. By day, light from the sky passes through the glass and colors the room.
A center open to all
In 1991 the library moved to a new building. Here the city opened the country's first municipal cultural center. Every year hundreds of musicians, dancers and artists perform in its halls.
