New Pritzker Military Library opens on South Michigan Avenue

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U.S. military forces have advanced onto Michigan Avenue.

The uniforms, medals, flags and thousands of military-related books in the Pritzker Military Library were recently transferred to spacious new digs at 104 S. Michigan Ave., across the street from the Art Institute of Chicago.

In 40,000 square feet, the private nonprofit foundation aims to tell in a nonpartisan way the story of the military through the lives of the men and women who have served in uniform.

“We try to tell the story of American history through the eyes of the citizen soldier,” said Ed Tracy, president and CEO. “It’s all about the courage and sacrifice.”

The library first opened in 2003 at 610 N. Fairbanks, the manifestation of the dream of James N. Pritzker, a retired colonel with 27 years in the military who is a regular presence on Forbes’ list of wealthiest Americans.

Pritzker was an avid collector of military books, and his 7,500 volume collection formed the backbone of the library’s extensive research offerings.

The library now has 58,000 items in its niche collection, including foreign language volumes and a number of rare collectibles like a book from the 1600s titled History of the Low Country Wars.

“This is his gift to Chicago,” Tracy said.

Other military men and women and their families also have donated highly personal items including uniforms and military medals. Medal of Honor winner Hershel “Woody” Williams gave his medal and a unique handmade tapestry honoring it for a special gallery on Medal of Honor recipients in the library.

Librarian Paul Grasmehr said walk-in traffic has increased since the Michigan Avenue location opened in February.

Student groups are coming in to research, and veterans are bringing their families to look up information about the units in which they served.

“Every week you get to meet great veterans and you get to learn so much from these people,” he said.

While eventually the library will charge admission, it is currently free and open to the public.

Tracy encourages visitors to stop by and see the collection, including displays on home front propaganda posters and collectibles from each branch of the service.

Every Saturday, the library also shows a war-themed movie in its new auditorium and it frequently hosts public events and discussions, many of which are broadcast on WYCC-TV and on the library’s Website.