The Elmhurst History Museum (EHM) announced its next exhibition Chicagoland Movie Palaces: A Century of Follies & Film, set to open Friday, September 6, 2024.
Exploring the early days of vaudeville and the golden age of motion picture theaters, the exhibit will examine the first movie palaces built in the Chicagoland area, delving into the architects who created them, the movie-going culture during the early age of Hollywood and the Blockbuster era, and the evolving digital movie experience. The exhibit will also highlight York Theatre’s centennial celebration with a special section on famous performances and films that have made a splash on the iconic marquee in Elmhurst, IL since 1924.
September 6, 2024 – January 5, 2025
Elmhurst History Museum
120 E Park Ave
Elmhurst, IL
free admission
“Over the past century, movie theaters have played a crucial role in our culture and have helped to shape the entertainment industry,” said Sarah Cox, Elmhurst History Museum Curator of Exhibits. “Movie theatres bring people together for a shared experience, transcending background and differences by immersing audiences in storytelling and movie magic. We’re thrilled to be able to share these stories and highlight how the Chicagoland area has played a part in in the industry we know today.”
Through historical photographs, performance and film artifacts, historical publications and advertisements, and archival films, the exhibition will aim to explore the innovation, evolution, and adaptation of the movie industry. Guests will also enjoy a variety of interactive elements in Chicagoland Movie Palaces: A Century of Follies & Film, from a foley table and ticket booth to touchscreens featuring oral histories, movie trailers, and more.
To accompany the new exhibit, the EHM will host a variety of entertaining and engaging public programs and events, perfect for all ages this season. Chicago’s first female Film Camera Assistant and recently retired University of Chicago Cinema and Media Studies Professor, Judy Hoffman, will present “Lights, Camera, Action: The History of Chicago Film,” a lecture exploring Chicago’s film history, and during the holidays, movie-goers can enjoy a family-friendly screening of Elf on the big screen at York Theatre.
Guests are also invited to dive into film industry history with Trivia Night with Elmhurst Brewing or on the Classic Cinemas Bus Tour where attendees will enjoy a behind-the-scenes experience at three local historic theatres, Classic Cinemas’ York Theatre in Elmhurst, Tivoli Theatre in Oak Brook, and Lake Theatre in Oak Park. Attendees are encouraged to register for events online.
The full program line up:
- Lights, Camera, Action: The History of Chicago Film Lecture; 2 p.m. Sunday, October 6 (FREE to Members, $5 Non-Members)
- Trivia Night with Elmhurst Brewing; 7 p.m. Thursday, October 17 (FREE)
- Young Frankenstein Film Screening; 2 p.m. Friday, October 18 (FREE)
- Classic Cinemas Bus Tour; 8:15 a.m. Monday, October 21 ($35/person)
- Chicagoland Movie Palaces: A Century of Follies & Film Gallery Talk; 12 p.m. Sunday, November 3 (FREE to Members, $5 Non-Members)
- No One Ever Sees Indians: Native Americans in Media Lecture; 2 p.m. Sunday, November 17 (FREE)
- A Classic Hollywood Christmas Lecture; 2 p.m. Sunday, December 8, 2024 (FREE to Members, $5 Non-Members)
- Elf Film Screening; 10 a.m. Saturday, December 14 ($5/person)
Chicagoland Movie Palaces: A Century of Follies & Film will be on display September 6, 2024 – January 5, 2025. The Elmhurst History Museum is open to all ages and offers free admission. The museum is open 1 – 5 p.m. Sunday & Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, and closed Monday.
For additional information, please visit elmhursthistory.org.
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