Chicago History
Happy Birthday, Frederick Law Olmsted!
Learn about the park designs created for Chicago by Frederick Law Olmsted, whose 200th birth anniversary is being celebrated this year.
Books
Online Resources
Chicago Newspapers: Online and on Microfilm
Find current and historical local newspapers available online from anywhere or on microfilm at Harold Washington Library Center.
Chicago Tribune Historical Archive
Search the full text of the Chicago Tribune, including classified and display advertisements, from 1849 to 1997.
Newspapers, Sanborn Maps and More
History & Genealogy Events
History & Genealogy Events
Exhibits
Chicago History Blog Posts
Chicago History in the Archives
Watch Now
Digital Collections
Photos of Chicago's Past
Quizzes
Special Collections Divisions at CPL
Special Collections at HWLC
The Special Collections and Preservation Division at HWLC showcases rare and unique materials focusing on Chicago.
Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection
The Vivian G. Harsh Collection at Woodson Regional Library is the largest African American history and literature collection in the Midwest.
Northside Neighborhood History Collection
The Northside Neighborhood History Collection at Sulzer Regional Library houses historical and contemporary materials.
Municipal Reference Collection
Learn about the trove of Chicago information in the Municipal Reference Collection at Harold Washington Library Center.
