Shedd Aquarium

Shedd Aquarium :

The aquarium is one of the most popular attractions in the city - it welcomes approximately 2 million visitors a year - and if you plan a visit during summer time you can expect some long lines.

 

 Museum pictures from abroad :

 

 

 Shedd Aquarium houses some 20,000 aquatic animals representing 1,500 different species. The aquarium contains several exhibits, the most notable of which are the Caribbean Reef, the Wild Reef and the Oceanarium.

 History of Shedd Aquarium  :

 The history of the aquarium goes back to 1924 when John Graves Shedd, a prominent businessman, donated 2 million dollar for the creation of an aquarium in Chicago - later followed by another one million dollar donation. He formed the Shedd Aquarium Society, which was responsible for the construction and operation of the aquarium.
The society selected a location near the lake for its future aquarium and commissioned the architectural firm of Graham, Anderson, Probst and White with the design of the building.


The Aquarium opened in December 1929 and Chicagoans visited the new attraction in droves even though there were no fish yet. Saltwater arrived in 1930, and was transported by train from Florida. The exhibits, displayed around a central rotunda, opened not much later.
The original reservoirs contains more than 1.5 million gallons (57,000 hectoliter) of water. The Aquarium continued to regularly transport fresh saltwater from Florida until 1970, when it started creating its own saltwater on site.

 

Shedd Aquarium Chicago :

 

 

Fantasea, a new multi-media show featuring whales, dolphins, and penguins, will soon open in the Oceanarium  :

 

 The Aquarium was originally built in 1929 by the architects Graham, Anderson, Probst & White. They designed a neo-classical octagonal building constructed of white marble. The modern 1991 glass extension of the building was designed by Lohan Associates.