Pritzker Military Museum & Library relocates to Wisconsin, consolidating operations

A major Pritzker operation is moving entirely to Wisconsin.  The Pritzker Military Museum & Library, located at 104 S. Michigan Ave. in Chicago, has announced its decision to close its downtown location and relocate to an archives center in Wisconsin. The Pritzker Military Archives Center is in Somers, in Kenosha County.  The museum will shut its doors on July 27th, following the conclusion of its current exhibition, “War of 1812: Countering Peril on the High Seas and at Home.”

The move is part of a consolidation effort, with roughly 40,000 artifacts and over 65,000 book titles from the museum being merged with the archives.  The merging of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library and the PMAC is aimed at safeguarding historical artifacts and book collections for future generations. The nearly 52,000-square-foot Wisconsin location is set to open later this year, offering special access to library services, virtual resources, and digitized offerings for members. In addition, researchers will have exclusive access to archival collections, and in-person exhibits and programs will be expanded at the new facility.

The Pritzker Military Museum & Library was founded in 2003 by Jennifer Pritzker, a retired lieutenant colonel in the Illinois Army National Guard and cousin of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker. The institution’s mission is to increase the public’s understanding of military history, military affairs, and national security. Jennifer Pritzker continues to serve as the Pritzker Military Foundation president and chairs the museum’s board of directors.