Posted by chicagomedia.org on January 30, 2009 at 21:35:49:
Freedom Museum leaving Tribune Tower
By: Eddie Baeb
Jan. 30, 2009
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(Crain's) - Just three years after opening, the McCormick Foundation's Freedom Museum is closing its high-profile location in the Tribune Tower.
The foundation announced Friday that it will vacate 435 N. Michigan Ave. on March 1, with plans to instead operate a "mobile museum" that would travel to schools and communities throughout the Chicago area.
The foundation initiated the change, evoking an early-termination clause in its lease, in a bid to reach more students and area residents, says McCormick Foundation President and CEO David Grange. He says Tribune Co.'s plans to possibly convert or sell the tower were also a factor.
"A lot of museums are not doing so well at getting people to come to them, so I told my people to think outside the walls and to focus on outreach and efforts to touch more people," Mr. Grange says. "We were meeting the objectives we set, but I wanted to do better."
There could be staff reductions due to the museum's closing, but Mr. Grange says they would be minimal.
A spokesman for Tribune Co. didn't return a call seeking comment.
The foundation, which last May dropped "Tribune" from its name to clarify that the foundation no longer has an ownership stake in the media company, will move some exhibits on a temporary basis to Col. Robert R. McCormick's former estate at Cantigny Park in west suburban Wheaton.
Mr. Grange hopes to have the mobile museum - likely to be built either in a bus or semi-trailer - up and running by fall.
The foundation also announced it will move its headquarters from Tribune Tower. Mr. Grange says the offices will remain on Michigan Avenue and that the foundation is currently considering several options and will likely move this summer.
While Mr. Grange says he views the mobile museum as an enhancement to the foundation’s efforts, he acknowledges it will be "a little bittersweet" to shut down the museum after just three years.
"I'm the kind of guy that's used to change," Mr. Grange says. "We're a very flexible organization and have adaptable leadership and we'll be fine. I think we’re going to have more success."