In the west, St. Louis and Cincinnati were surpassed by the immense growth of Chicago and it soon emerged as the major city. When it became the home of Stephen Douglas, it came into the political spotlight. Stephen Douglas was the presidential nominee for the Northern Democrats in the year 1860. However, in the same year itself, Abraham Lincoln was nominated as the candidate for the home state by Chicago's Republican National Convention.

There were many new comers in the political scenario. Most of them were either Irish Catholics or immigrants from Germany as well as their descendants. In the mid 1950's, a local party which was called the Know-Nothing Party, criticized the neighborhood saloons which in those times acted as a center of the social lives of the Chicago males. The stern as well as rigid morality of the Yankees is reflected in this action.

The new party that had been formed was completely against immigration and liquor. It wanted to purify politics by causing reduction in the role and power of the saloon keepers. In the year 1855, Levi Boon was elected as the mayor by the stern Know-Nothing Party. In his term, Levi Boon banned all Sunday sales of liquor as well as beer. Such aggressive enforcement of law led to a riot. Eight German men had been tried for the violation of the liquor ordinance. This particular event triggered the Lager Beer Riot in April, 1855.

The reformers saw the saloon as centers where that aroused riotous behavior and the decay of morality.

The museum brief history is located in the Lincoln Park of Chicago ILlinois, the Chicago History Museum was founded in 1856 under the name Chicago Historical Society. It was then renamed to its current name in September 2006.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_History_Museum

Why Visit the Museum?

1. The museum visitors get a crash on Abraham Lincolns artifacts including President Lincolns deathbed and even get a feel of exhibits like the Chicagos first elevated train cars.
2. There are several galleries, one of which exhibit Chicagos economy, inventions and even such things like the cries of the Great Fire. An old steam locomotive inside the museum makes one experience how life was like centuries ago.
3. It is amazing to see how women clothing have changed from way back in 1800 to date. This section of the museum makes us appreciate and value history.
4. The museum texts are presented in both English and Spanish and its surprising that audio tours are available in both languages. In addition, children under the age of twelve have free entry into the museum. With the childrens gallery, kids can explore Chicagos history using their five senses.
5. Its location is quite ideal because it neighbors two other tourist sites which include Lincoln Park Zoo and the North Avenue Beach. The museum is a must see for any travel in Chicago IL.

More Information

http://www.chicagohistory.org/

This is the official site of this world class museum and host of additional information is available on the site. The museum is dedicated to Lincoln Bicentennial who was the former president of the United States of America. The site gives you museum news, exhibitions, upcoming events, history around the town among others. If you are making plans for a travel in Chicago IL, you have every reason to visit the museum.

It's always a wonderful experience whenever you travel around Chicago to encounter custodians of history like museums. This is because every developed society must have a rich history and this is no different with Chicago especially bearing in mind that it is home to such greats as Abraham Lincoln and president Obama.

http://www.chicagohs.org/

What can be found in Chicago?

It's estimated that there are over 22 million collections of historical artifacts and documents in these Chicago museums. They include manuscripts, books and several other pieces of published materials, costumes of yore, films and video based on ancient setting, prints, sculptures, photographs, and painting among other antics.

Travel around Chicago museum and you will definitely get first hand information about all these.

http://www.chicagohs.org/planavisit/aboutcollection

What are some of the history museum in Chicago?

History museums are littered all over Chicago's landscape. These demonstrate the importance that the people of Illinois attach to their rich history. They include the Phillip Randolph Pullman Porter Museum located in the Maryland Avenue, established to celebrate and honor the life of one of the leading lights in the labor movement.

There is also the Addison Historical Museum which is basically a collection of American and German Lutheran historical artifacts to name but a few. Therefore, whenever you travel around Chicago, sample the rich Illinois history.

http://www.chicagohs.org/history-around-town