Illinois Holocaust Museum Reopens in Temporary Loop Location with Expanded Exhibits

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — The Illinois Holocaust Museum has reopened in a temporary location in the Chicago Loop, offering expanded exhibits and interactive experiences while its permanent Skokie home undergoes a year-long renovation.

The new site, known as Experience360, is located at State and Kinzie streets, giving downtown visitors easier access to the museum’s mission of remembrance and education.

Bringing Stories Closer to Chicago

For years, the Skokie-based museum has served as one of the Midwest’s leading institutions dedicated to Holocaust education. With its move downtown, staff members say the temporary location will help reach new audiences.

“It’s going to be a wonderful opportunity for people who can’t get up to Skokie. For tourists who don’t have a car, they can now hear the stories of our survivors,” said Arielle Weininger, the museum’s chief curator.

New Exhibits and Educational Focus

The Loop location features a core exhibit on Holocaust history, tracing both global events and the museum’s founding by Illinois survivors.

Other highlights include:

• Interactive theater where visitors can hear recorded testimonies from Holocaust survivors.
• Rotating exhibits that address other examples of genocide worldwide, highlighting lessons beyond World War II.
• Educational programs designed for schools and community groups visiting the Loop site.

“The whole reason the survivors established the museum is so that their stories are told, and this is just a way to broaden that,” Weininger explained.

Safeguarding Artifacts During Renovation

The Skokie museum’s renovation plans include an expanded lobby and larger auditorium seating. While most artifacts have been carefully stored for safekeeping, crews developed new displays specifically for the Loop space.

One item too large to move — a full-sized railcar used to transport Jews to concentration camps — was restored and protected on-site in Skokie to prevent damage during construction.

Looking Ahead

The Illinois Holocaust Museum officially opened its Loop location to the public on Tuesday, ensuring that even during renovations, its mission of remembrance and education continues.

Museum leaders emphasized that the temporary move is not just a stopgap, but an opportunity to extend their reach into the heart of Chicago while preserving survivor stories for future generations.

Will you be visiting the Illinois Holocaust Museum’s new Loop location before the Skokie site reopens? Share your thoughts in the comments, and follow ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com for more local cultural and community news.