The Pritzker Military Museum & Library is a unique institution dedicated to collecting, preserving, and sharing the story of the Citizen Soldier. The Museum & Library is a center where citizens and Citizen Soldiers come together to learn from each other, about military history, and the role of the Armed Forces in today’s society.
Located at 104 S. Michigan Ave. in Chicago’s historic Monroe Building, the 40,000 sq. ft. facility features a remarkable collection of books, films, and military artifacts from private donors and the Museum & Library’s founder, Colonel (IL) J.N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired.).
Since opening in October 2003, the Museum & Library has produced more than 400 public programs with award-winning authors and scholars, interviews with Medal of Honor recipients, and incisive panel discussions on military issues. Programs are webcast live on the Internet, and recorded for later broadcast on both Chicago PBS affiliates.
Each year, the Museum & Library presents its Literature Award for Lifetime Achievement in Military Writing. Recipients include James McPherson (2007), Allan R. Millett (2008), Gerhard Weinberg (2009), Rick Atkinson (2010), Carlo D’Este (2011), Max Hastings (2012), Tim O’Brien (2013), Antony Beevor (2014) and David Hackett Fischer (2015).
The Pritzker Military Museum & Library is a private, non-partisan 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. Membership begins at $60 per year, with discounted memberships offered for veterans, active military, students and educators.