The Burnham Plan Centennial - Bold Plans, Big Dreams

Calendar & Projects

In and After School (K-16)

Previous Events

March, 2009

Friday, March 27, 2009 8:30am to 2:30pm

Professional Development Workshop for CPS Teachers

Burnham Plan Centennial Committee

The Burnham Plan Centennial in collaboration with the DePaul Center for Urban Education and the Chicago Public Schools Office of Literacy, Instruction and Assessment invites third- and eighth-grade and special education teachers to participate in a special day-long workshop that will help teachers to make the city itself a vital part of the curriculum. [MORE]

April, 2009

Thursday, April 23, 2009 10:00am to 1:30pm

Big Shoulders Fund "Bold Plans, Big Dreams" Map Assembly

Big Shoulders Fund

Fifth grade student representatives from 76 Catholic schools in Chicago will converge at St. Barbara's Elementary School as a culmination of a yearlong project. [MORE]

June, 2009

Thursday, June 11, 2009 7:00pm to 8:30pm

Duneland Escape: The South Shore Marketing Campaign of the 1920's

Lubeznik Center for the Arts

The campaign in the '20s, designed to increase South Shore Line ridership, included advertising, printed materials, a newsletter, and most notably, the posters. Artist Mitch Markovitz and historian Steve McShane with the Calumet Regional Archives at Indiana University Northwest speak about the artwork used to promote the South Shore Line in a historical context. This program is in conjunction with the Interurban Trains & Tourism exhibit.

Thursday, June 11, 2009 7:00pm to 8:30pm

Dream Train for Kids

Lubeznik Center for the Arts

Hop on the Dream Train! In conjunction with the "Interurban Trains & Tourism" exhibit, children are invited to design their own fantastic version of train transportation. While grown-ups attend the "Duneland Escape" presentation in the gallery, kids can participate in this fun workshop that will stimulate their imagination in the NIPSCO Art Education Studios. Children, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends can all join in on the fun.

Admission: Free to LCA members and $3 for non-members. [MORE]

Thursday, June 18, 2009 7:00pm to 8:00pm

Burnham’s Chicago for Kids

Gail Borden Public Library District

Daniel Burnham, architect of the 1909 Chicago Plan, leads you through the history of the city he loved so well, from the Fort Dearborn Massacre to the Columbian Exposition of 1893, from stockyards to architecture. Presented by actor Terry Lynch from History for Kids, Burnham introduces the people and events that shaped the “Windy City” and helped transform it from the “City of the Wild Onion” to the “City of the Big Shoulders." [MORE]

Saturday, June 20, 2009 10:00am to 2:00pm

Family Field Day

Field Museum

Little explorers can save water in big ways! Join us for this program and explore practical, money-saving ways for recycling and saving water. Discover the importance of wetlands and how our lifestyle choices impact the environment.

This special program is part of the Field Museum's Water exhibit, open from June 17 through September 20. [MORE]

Monday, June 22, 2009 10:00am to Sunday, June 28, 2009 3:00pm

Burnham Week: Building the City

City of Chicago

As part of the Summer 2009 Family Fun Festival, join the Chicago Architecture Foundation in the Millennium Park Family Tent for Burnham Week: Building the City. This is an opportunity to celebrate Chicago's past, present and future with hands-on building and architectural activities in honor of the 100th anniversary of Daniel Burnham's great Plan of Chicago. Activities will take place daily from 10 a.m.until 3:00 pm. [MORE]

Thursday, June 25, 2009 10:30am to 11:30am

Build it With Burnham Children's Programming

Kenosha Public Library

Calling all Girls and Boys!  Have you thought about being an architect? Well, here is your chance! We are participating in the Burnham Centennial Event by hosting the Be Creative Building Event. The chief architect of Simmons Library was Daniel Burnham. He was a genius, and so are you!

  [MORE]

July, 2009

Saturday, July 4, 2009 10:00am to noon

100th Anniversary of the Presentation of the Plan of Chicago

Chicago History Museum

Join the Chicago History Museum for an extraordinary Fourth of July celebration. This Independence Day marks the Museum’s 49th annual festivities and commemorates the 100th anniversary of the official presentation of the Plan of Chicago to the City.

Monday, July 27, 2009 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Experience the Plan of Chicago through Geocaching

Chicago Public Library

For teens ages fourteen-up, parents and educators. This hands-on experience allows participants to discover the history of Chicago while using 21st century tools. Join experienced Geocachers (treasure-hunters who use Global Positioning System devices) in a hunt to rediscover 1909 Chicago. Using handheld GPS units, participants will tour several historic spots that Daniel Burnham used to create the Plan of Chicago while hunting for clues to enhance this journey through time. Pre-registration required. [MORE]

Wednesday, July 29, 2009 noon

Art Options: You Feel Me?

Urban Gateways Center for Arts Education

This community play—written and performed by students in Urban Gateways' Art Options program—is the culmination of a four-week summer apprenticeship theater and digital music program for middle and high school students working with master teaching artists Maia Morgan, Shawn Wallace and visiting artist from Tanzania, Grace Gachocha. This international collaboration is an exploration of what it means to be in community. [MORE]

August, 2009

Wednesday, August 12, 2009 5:00pm to 7:00pm

Experience the Plan of Chicago through Geocaching

Chicago Public Library

For teens ages fourteen-up, parents and educators. This hands-on experience allows participants to discover the history of Chicago while using 21st century tools. Join experienced Geocachers (treasure-hunters who use Global Positioning System devices) in a hunt to rediscover 1909 Chicago. Using handheld GPS units, participants will tour several historic spots that Daniel Burnham used to create the Plan of Chicago while hunting for clues to enhance this journey through time. Pre-registration required. [MORE]

Thursday, August 13, 2009 9:00am to noon

Building for the Future: A Professional Development Workshop for Teachers

Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust

Preservation Trust education staff will join K-12 teachers in exploring the idea of engaging students with the built environment, both as it was done at the time of the Burnham Plan in 1909 through the use of the Wacker Manual, and as it is approached in schools and museums today.  Several educators who have completed successful standards-based projects in architecture, design, urban planning and the built environment will share their ideas, activities, challenges, and achievements.  Participants will then draw from this information and experience to develop a unit or le

September, 2009

Thursday, September 10, 2009 6:00pm to 8:00pm

First Voice: A Youth Discussion on the Next Century

Radio Arte

Radio Arte will lead a youth discussion on the El Próximo Centenario (the Next Century) of Chicago. What will the next 100 years look like? The program will include the work of  youth who participated in Radio Arte’s summer training programs that explored: What will Chicago be like for youth of color? Immigrants? The LGBTQ community? Check out our presentation and listen to creative audio thoughts from Chicago’s future civic leaders. [MORE]

Saturday, September 19, 2009 11:00am to 12:30pm

Lego Time Youth Services Program

Orland Park Public Library

Children are invited to become a “Lego Architect” and build Lego structures in honor of Daniel Burnham. These structures will be on display at the library during the month of October. [MORE]

Saturday, September 19, 2009 noon to 1:00pm

Our Future Metropolis: Mr. D.H. Burnham Presents a Plain Talk for the Development of Chicago

Chicago Public Library

SPECIAL PERFORMANCE FOR TEENS!   Lookingglass Theatre presents this one-man performance, adapted and directed by Ensemble Member John Musial and starring Ensemble Member Raymond Fox as Daniel Burnham.

The performance recreates the initial presentation of Burnham's plan to the public. Musial's staging brings out the genius in Burnham’s project while visually linking his plan with today's Chicago through both authentic original slides and modern-day photography.

 For teens ages fourteen-up, parents and educators. [MORE]

Thursday, September 24, 2009 7:00pm to 8:30pm

Green Spaces, Public Places

Chicago Ridge Public Library

Join us on Thursday, September 24th at 7:00 p.m. for Green Spaces, Public Places. 

John Elliot, Education Manager for the Forest Preserve for Cook County, leads a Powerpoint presentation describing the history of how the FPDCC came to be, how Burnham's plan references the preserve, the role of the Prairie Club, and other historical contexts.  Learn how the county manages the many different functions of the district, role of volunteers and public awareness.

High School Students and Adults are welcome to this free program.

  [MORE]

Saturday, September 26, 2009 11:00am to 4:00pm

Daniel Burnham Scavenger Hunt

WBEZ Radio 91.5 FM

Join us for a city-wide scavenger hunt, celebrating the life and work of Daniel Burnham.  This day-long scavenger hunt will have a total of three separate hunts. Do one, two, or all three to compete. The three hunts will take place in the Loop, the South Loop and Hyde Park. Cars aren't necessary, though you may want to use bicycles or the CTA. You decide the order of your hunts. The overall winner must complete all three hunts. [MORE]

October, 2009

Saturday, October 10, 2009 1:00pm to 3:00pm

YOUmedia presents "Planning Our Urban Future"

Chicago Public Library

As a part of One Book, One Chicago, a group of 57 teens have been reading Carl Smith’s book, The Plan of Chicago: Daniel Burnham and the Remaking of the American City and working with YOUmedia mentors to create digital pieces which address issues in their neighborhood and present real workable solutions to these challenges.  [MORE]

November, 2009

Saturday, November 14, 2009 11:00am to 4:30pm

Think Big Youth Expo

Chicago Humanities Festival

One hundred years ago, Daniel Burnham and Edward Bennett issued the Plan of Chicago to give people great ideas about how to make the city and region a better place. [MORE]

Saturday, November 21, 2009 1:00pm to 2:00pm

Global Warming: What's a Kid to Do?

Joliet Public Library

In the spirit of Daniel Burnham's forward-looking Plan of Chicago, Kidworks Touring Theatre Co. presents a “hands-on” exploration of climate changes around the world, told from the perspective of endangered animals and plants.
  [MORE]

Monday, November 30, 2009 noon to 1:00pm

Global Warming: What's a Kid to Do?

Gail Borden Public Library District

In the spirit of Daniel Burnham's forward-looking Plan of Chicago, Kidworks Touring Theatre Co. presents a “hands-on” exploration of climate changes around the world, told from the perspective of endangered animals and plants.
  [MORE]

Monday, November 30, 2009 7:00pm to 8:00pm

Global Warming: What's a Kid to Do?

Eisenhower Public Library

In the spirit of Daniel Burnham's forward-looking Plan of Chicago, Kidworks Touring Theatre Co. presents a “hands-on” exploration of climate changes around the world, told from the perspective of endangered animals and plants.
  [MORE]

December, 2009

Sunday, December 6, 2009 8:00am to Sunday, December 13, 2009 11:50pm

Vehicle Sticker Art Design Contest

City of Chicago

All Chicago high school students grades 9-12 were invited to submit artwork for the 15th annual City Sticker Art Contest. The 2010-2011 theme is “Burnham’s Chicago, and more than 300 area students created designs highlighting Daniel Burnham’s contributions to our city. A panel of volunteer judges—including artists and civic leaders—determined the top 10 designs, which are up to a public vote.” [MORE]

Monday, December 7, 2009 noon to Tuesday, December 8, 2009 noon

Making Big Plans for the Centennial of the 1909 Plan of Chicago

Newberry Library

This "Chicago Teachers as Scholars" seminar — conducted by the Newberry's Make Big Plans exhibition co-curators James Akerman and Diane Dillon — offers a critical overview of the Plan of Chicago's central themes and its legacy.
  [MORE]

Monday, December 7, 2009 4:00pm to 5:00pm

Global Warming: What's a Kid to Do?

St. Charles Public Library District

In the spirit of Daniel Burnham's forward-looking Plan of Chicago, Kidworks Touring Theatre Co. presents a “hands-on” exploration of climate changes around the world, told from the perspective of endangered animals and plants.
  [MORE]

Wednesday, December 16, 2009 7:00pm to 8:00pm

Global Warming: What's a Kid to Do?

Waukegan Public Library

In the spirit of Daniel Burnham's forward-looking Plan of Chicago, Kidworks Touring Theatre Co. presents a “hands-on” exploration of climate changes around the world, told from the perspective of endangered animals and plants.
  [MORE]

The Burnham Plan Centennial
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