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1886
Union League Club of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois
65 West Jackson Blvd, Chicago, Illinois 60604
Original Property Opened in 1886
Historic Hotels of America member since 2021
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The Union League Club of Chicago is a well-known civic and social organization in Chicago. It is a fantastic choice for those visiting Chicago, offering a luxurious environment as well as other useful features that will ensure that all guests have a world-class experience.
The Union League Club of Chicago (ULCC) was founded in 1879 and traces its origin to the Union League of America (ULA), a Civil War-era organization formed to support Abraham Lincoln and to help preserve the Union. Although the ULA Illinois Chapter disbanded after the war, several former members assembled in Chicago to create a private city club based on upholding the sacred obligations of citizenship; honesty and efficiency in government; patronage of cultural institutions and support for our nation’s military and their families. During its 140-year history, ULCC members have made and continue to make significant contributions to Chicago’s civic and cultural life as demonstrated by the Club’s commitment to community, country, and culture.
Today, members at the Union League Club of Chicago enjoy a sophisticated and welcoming community as well as access to amenities such as a spa, fitness center, and incredible dining options. Although the Union League of Chicago is an exclusive members-only club, Historic Hotels of America customers will be able to experience many of those same perks during their stay when they book through HistoricHotels.org.
Discover
- Discover the Georgian Revival exteriors of the Union League Club of Chicago. Georgian Revival is a style of architecture that originated during the reign of the four King Georges which lasted between 1714 and 1830. The American Centennial in 1876 saw a surge in the popularity of the style thanks to the reemergence of American colonial style.
- Admire the collections at the George N Leighton Library, one of the oldest amenities of the club. This dynamic resource is staffed by a team of professional librarians who strive to meet patron needs and to keep the collections relevant. Materials are selected for the Library in response to member interests; all attempts are made to acquire the latest in popular literature and film. The library is named for George N. Leighton who served as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. He was a great lawyer who worked with clients such as Martin Luther King, Jr.
- Walk through the art galleries and browse the collection that includes 700 statues, paintings, and other works of art including a work by noted French Impressionist Claude Monet. The painting in question is a beautiful landscape Monet painted in the 1870s titled "Pommiers en fleurs”. It was painted while he and his family lived in Argenteuil, a resort town on the Seine River, which was a significant inspiration to Monet.
Explore
- Explore the Richard H. Driehaus Museum. Once the mansion of a wealthy banker named Samuel H. Nickerson, the Richard H. Driehaus Museum showcases the art and architectural aesthetics of Chicago during the Gilded Age. Guests are sure to adore the museum’s glass sculpture gallery and antique décor.
- Visit the renowned Tribune Tower. In the early 20th century, Tribune Tower served as the headquarters for many prominent Chicago-based media companies. In fact, its name is an homage to its first primary occupant, the Chicago Tribune newspaper. Its stunning Gothic Revival-style façade has since made it a celebrated landmark in northern Chicago.
- Travel to the outstanding Chicago Water Tower just moments away. A contributing structure within the greater Chicago Avenue Water Tower and Pumping Station District, the Chicago Water Tower has famously overlooked its spot along the Magnificent Mile since 1869. This beautiful structure is now the site of a popular art gallery called the “City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower.”
- Visit the Shedd Aquarium, one of the world’s largest indoor aquariums, and view more than 32,000 animals alongside historic Neoclassical architecture that celebrates aquatic life.
- Explore the Field Museum, one of the largest natural history museums in the world, whose collection grew out of the items on display at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago more than a century ago.
- Take a guided tour of Millennium Park. While there see Cloud Gate, one of the world’s largest permanent outdoor art installations, lovingly nicknamed “The Bean” for its unique shape.
Experience
- Experience the amazing showrooms inside the historic Merchandise Mart. Known today as “theMART,” Merchandise Mart was first created at the behest of the Marshall Field & Co. at the start of the Great Depression. Today, this spectacular historic landmark spans two city blocks and has numerous commercial displays filled with the finest products from multiple Fortune 500 companies.
- Tour Navy Pier in the neighboring district of Streeterville. Open to the public since 1916, the magnificent Navy Pier is home to countless attractions, including the Chicago Children’s Museum and Centennial Wheel. This wonderful destination is the second-most visited landmark in Chicago and is even listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
- Stroll down the picturesque Chicago Riverwalk and marvel at the numerous bridges that cross the Chicago River like the historic DuSable Bridge. Guests today can also ride along the Chicago River on a relaxing river cruise or by way of a kayak rental. Afterward, go shopping along the famed Magnificent Mile or investigate the displays at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago.
- Experience the Lincoln Zoo, a family-friendly attraction offering an array of animal exhibits and habitats to explore and learn about including rare mammals, birds, and reptiles.
- Stroll along Michigan Avenue’s Magnificent Mile. Discover an endless list of high-end shopping destinations and gourmet restaurants that together make one of the world’s greatest retail experiences.
- Enjoy live comedy at The Second City Theater, the improvisational theater and training conservatory for many of the world’s funniest and memorable comedians in the world including Tina Fey, Steve Carell, and Steven Colbert.
Taste
- Taste the iconic Chicago-style deep-dish pizza. Some historical sources even credit the invention of the deep-dish pizza to the original Pizzeria Uno, which is still active right in the heart of the surrounding River North neighborhood. Originally opened as “The Pizzeria” in 1943, Pizzeria Uno has since become a staple throughout Chicago.
- Board a water taxi and sail down the Chicago River to Chinatown to dine on authentic cuisine prepared fresh each day. There are a variety of restaurants, cafés, dim sum spots, and tea houses to choose from.
- Savor a classic Chicago-Style hot dog at Portillo’s, a Chicago mainstay since 1963. Portillo’s has a wide and tasty menu. Don’t leave without also trying the smoothie of the day or the milkshakes!
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