Griffin Museum of Science and Industry: Keeping the Past, Looking to the Future

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago has recently undergone a name change to the Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry to honor a significant donation made by the Illinois billionaire businessman. The museum, housed in the historic World’s Columbian Exposition’s former Palace of Fine Arts, saw this as an opportunity to recognize the largest single gift in its history.

In addition to the name change, the museum introduced a new logo and experiences as part of their rebranding efforts. This includes a new exhibit called Griffin Studio, featuring an immersive digital gallery called Notes to Neurons. The Henry Crown Space Center has also undergone renovations with the debut of the SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft.

To celebrate the name change, the museum offered visitors free admission on a designated day. Despite the new name and other changes that were made, the museum emphasized that much of what visitors loved about it remains the same. A page on their website carried the headline “New Name, Same Museum” to reassure patrons.

The museum plans to utilize a majority of Griffin’s donation to secure its long-term future and support projects like Pixel Studio, a state-of-the-art digital gallery and performance space that will be a unique experience in North America. The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry expressed its commitment to progress, modernization, and innovation while honoring its history and putting its visitors and community at the forefront of its mission.