CHICAGO.- /PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago History Museum, formerly known as the Chicago Historical Society, is celebrating its 150th Anniversary as it reopens its doors to the public on Saturday, September 30. "The Chicago History Museum is one of our city's great resources. It documents the lives and times of our past," said Gary T. Johnson, Museum president.

Visitors will enjoy new galleries, exhibitions, and installations, as well as old favorites that have been significantly transformed. The new exhibition, Chicago: Crossroads of America presents Chicago using powerful artifacts and images to show the city as a dynamic place whose compelling and dramatic growth has both influenced and shaped the nation. Themes include Chicago's economy, crises, innovation, neighborhoods, and Chicago at play. Visitors entering the galleries are greeted by 'L' Car No. 1, the city's first elevated train car. This artifact, best known for transporting visitors to and from the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, is on long-term loan from the Chicago Transit Authority. The 16,000-square-foot exhibition, separated into five unique galleries, with over 1,000 artifacts and documents, far surpasses the previous 6,000-square-foot Chicago History Gallery. A rotating Community Gallery within Chicago: Crossroads of America uses oral histories, images and artifacts to explore the different communities and neighborhoods that make up the Chicagoland area. The first exhibition, Colonia to Community: The Southeast Side, takes a closer look at the rich history of Chicago's Mexican-American community.

New galleries and exhibitions with artifacts, many never before seen by the public, help the new Chicago History Museum come alive. With the help of interactive technology, a new Children's Gallery opens with Sensing Chicago, an exhibition that encourages the exploration of Chicago's history through the five senses.

A Costume and Textile Gallery showcases the Museum's premier costume collection, one of the nation's finest with over 50,000 pieces of clothing and accessories. This gallery opens with Dior: The New Look, featuring Christian Dior couture fashions from 1947-57.

The Treasures installation located in different parts around the Museum includes a 1978 Chevy Monte Carlo custom lowrider car commissioned by the Museum, as well as the Lincoln death bed, signs from old Maxwell Street, artifacts from Chicago's two world fairs, and more. In the temporary exhibition, Ed Paschke, the Museum explores the well-known Chicago artist, following the story of his career over nearly four decades. Paschke used paintings to demand attention through striking imagery drawn from sources of popular culture, the media, and history.

The Chicago history dioramas, which have been on display in the Museum since they were first installed in 1932, reflect key moments in the city's first century. Details within the dioramas have been restored to their original beauty through a painstaking restoration process. They return rechristened as Imagining Chicago: The Dioramas, with upgraded mechanical components that animate some of the scenes.

A black tie gala will kick-off the celebration of the 150th Anniversary on the evening of Friday, September 29. Cocktails and gallery tours begin at 6:30 p.m. followed by dinner and dancing. Tickets are $600 for individuals, and tables ranging from $15,000 to $50,000. All proceeds from the gala will benefit the Museum.

Opening weekend features free admission to the Museum and programming will entertain guests on Saturday, September 30, between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. featuring the American Indian Center, Mexican Folkloric Dance Company, Trinity Irish Dancers, Chicago Community Chorus, Japanese Taiko Drummers, Jesse White Tumblers, and Second City. On Sunday, October 1, free admission continues between 12 noon and 5:00 p.m. with performances by Reggio McLaughlin and the Human Rhythm Project, Music House, Inc., and the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra.

Opening weekend also includes an all-ages show featuring Buddy Guy, with opening act Michael McDermott at the first ever ComEd Powers PLAY CHICAGO monthly concert series. In a partnership with 93XRT, the Chicago History Museum will present a concert on the second Thursday of each month. The kick-off concert is Saturday, September 30 from 6:00-9:00p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

"With a new name, renovations of 75 percent of the public space, new galleries and programming, and a 15-month anniversary celebration, the Museum will be an even more interactive, vibrant, and hip destination for all Chicagoans and visitors to the city," said Johnson.