The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum was established in 1857 as the Chicago Academy of Sciences, making it one of the oldest natural history museums in the United States. The museum's initial collection was donated by a group of prominent Chicago residents including William D. Kerfoot and Robert Kennicott.
In 1999, the museum moved to its current location in Lincoln Park, and was renamed the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in honor of the lead donor, who contributed $2 million to the renovation and expansion project.
The museum's design was inspired by the prairies and wetlands of the Midwest. The building was designed by the architecture firm of Hammond, Beeby and Babka and features a green roof, solar panels, and geothermal heating and cooling systems.
One of the most distinctive features of the museum's design is a large butterfly haven, which houses hundreds of live butterflies from around the world. The haven is a climate-controlled environment with water features, flowering plants, and a cascading waterfall.
Since its opening, the Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum has become a popular destination for nature lovers and families, with exhibits on local and global ecosystems, bird-watching, weather, and much more. The museum is also involved in a number of conservation and education initiatives, including citizen science projects, bird banding, and youth programs.
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