Chicago’s scientific interface

Along the lakefront on the south side of Chicago, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry stands as an icon of the city. As the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere, GMSI has received more than 180 million visitors throughout its lifetime. It will house the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology’s 2025 annual meeting closing reception, where attendees can explore the museum and become a part of its legacy.
  Founded in 1933 by philanthropist Julius Rosenwald, GMSI is a symbol of science and progress. It also serves as a space for the public to engage with science and industry in a hands-on way. The building housing the museum was originally built as the Palace of Fine Arts for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, an opportunity for Chicago to make its mark as an innovation and culture hub.

In the late 1920s, Rosenwald renovated the building and established the museum. Inspired by the interactive exhibits at the Deutches Museum in Munich, Rosenwald wanted to bring a similar experience to Chicago. GMSI officially opened during Chicago’s Century of Progress Exposition in 1933, a fair held in celebration of the city’s 100^th anniversary.

The museum’s original interactive exhibit was the Coal Mine, which continues to immerse visitors in a simulated mine. Other prominent exhibits include the U-505 Submarine, which displays the only captured World War II German submarine. The submarine came to GMSI in 1954 and allows guests to view and enter a real submarine. Today, the museum features dozens of exhibits and experiences, including Science Storms, Farm Tech, Numbers in Nature and the Giant Dome Theater.

Throughout its 92-year history, GMSI has promoted STEM through countless outreach and engagement programs. GMSI supports several educational initiatives that seek to connect children with STEM. As a space for scientific connection and discovery, GMSI is the perfect place for the closing reception of ASBMB’s Annual Meeting in Chicago.