Long before Hollywood dominated the industry, early filmmaking in Chicago was taking shape in surprising ways. Discover how The Tramp and the Dog (1896) reveals the city’s first steps into this new medium.

Travel back to the World's Fair of 1893 and experience the first Ferris wheel through movies and virtual reality

Learn about three silent-era Chicago movie theaters that survived the 1918 influenza pandemic.

Walk virtually with Chicago Movie Tours and hear why some Chicagoans claimed small movie houses lured certain filmgoers into a life of sin.

Reconsider Chicago amusement parks like Riverview and Kiddieland through the lens of 5 home movies and a dunking booth game.

Travel back to Chicago's silent era to learn how makeup and men's hairpieces functioned both on and offscreen

On this virtual walking tour, learn about the S.S. Eastland tragedy via a suburban Chicago speakeasy and film.