Chicago History Museum
Rebekah C. has a diverse range of work experience in the fields of heritage, research, and education. Rebekah is currently the Curator of Religion and Community History at the Chicago History Museum, where they are responsible for preserving and interpreting religious and community history. Rebekah is also the Founder/Researcher of the Sacred Shift Project, an ongoing research initiative focused on the adaptive reuse of sites of religious heritage.
Prior to their current roles, Rebekah worked as a Heritage Consultant, providing expertise in heritage preservation. Rebekah also served as the Historical Society Manager for the City of Plymouth, overseeing the operations of the local historical society. Additionally, they worked as a Co-lecturer at Hamline University, teaching courses on Islamic art and architecture.
Rebekah has also gained experience in the field of architecture and academia. Rebekah worked as a Research Assistant at The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, contributing to research projects. Rebekah also held positions at the Historic Wesley Center, including Director, Office Administrator and Event Coordinator, and Support Staff.
Furthermore, Rebekah has experience in education as an Instructor at Brightmont Academy and as a Teaching Assistant at Hamline University. Rebekah also served as an Ehlers Fellow at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
Throughout their career, Rebekah has demonstrated a passion for heritage preservation, research, and education, making significant contributions to the field.
Rebekah C. obtained their Bachelor of Arts degree with distinction in Art History and Religion, with a minor in Spanish, from Hamline University. Rebekah attended the university from 2008 to 2012. In 2018, they enrolled in New York University where they pursued a Master of Arts degree in Historical and Sustainable Architecture, completing their studies in 2019.
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Chicago History Museum
The Chicago History Museum (CHM) is the city’s oldest cultural institution. Founded in 1856 and incorporated in 1857 by an act of the state legislature, the Chicago Historical Society and its collection grew and opened its first building at the corner of Dearborn and Ontario Streets. That building and the most of the collection, however, burnedduring the Great Fire of 1871. After three years and a second fire that destroyed most of the remaining collection, the Society renewed its operations. Occupying temporary buildings on the same site until 1896, the organization built a massive stone edifice designed by Henry Ives Cobb, which housed the Gilpin Library and exhibition spaces.In 1920, the Society purchased thousands of manuscripts and hundreds of paintings and historical artifacts from the estate of Charles F. Gunther, including the bed on which Abraham Lincoln died and George Washington’s compass. In the late 1920s, the trustees began planning a new $1 million museum to house its growing collection and to celebrate the city’s centennial. Designed by Graham, Anderson, Probst & White, the Georgian colonial building opened in 1932 in Lincoln Park at Clark Street at North Avenue. That building, with various additions, renovations, and improvements, has served as the organization's home ever since.In 1972, the Society unveiled a modern limestone addition by Alfred Shaw and Associates. In 1988, Holabird and Root "wrapped" the limestone addition in a red brick modern adaptation of the 1932 building and added underground storage and new gallery spaces.In February 2006, the Chicago Historical Society announced its new name: The Chicago History Museum. After renovating approximately 75 percent of its public space, the Museum now features a dramatic new lobby as well as new galleries and exhibitions and a redesigned Museum Store.Now celebrating its 150th anniversary, the Chicago History Museum continues to tell the stories of the city and its people through exhibitions, programs, publications, and a website. Its Research Center serves thousands of people each year, from schoolchildren working on History Fair projects to PhD students writing dissertations to filmmakers researching documentaries.