Chicago’s Museum of Science and Industry has officially changed its name to the Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, honoring a record donation from billionaire Illinois businessman Ken Griffin.
The museum, located in Hyde Park, updated its signage, website, and social media presence to reflect the new name. To mark the occasion, the museum offered free admission to visitors on Sunday.
Despite the name change and other updates, the museum emphasized that its core mission and exhibits remain unchanged, reassuring visitors with the message, “New Name, Same Museum” prominently displayed on its website.
The name change was first announced in 2019 following Griffin’s $125 million donation. Griffin, CEO of the hedge fund Citadel, made the largest single gift in the museum’s history, prompting the renaming.
The museum, housed in the historic Palace of Fine Arts building from the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, stated that the official name change reflects their progress and ongoing commitment to innovation and education.
Summary
The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago has been renamed the Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry in recognition of Ken Griffin’s $125 million donation. The name change is now reflected in the museum’s signage and digital presence. Despite these updates, the museum reassures visitors that its mission and exhibits remain the same. The renaming honors Griffin’s significant contribution and marks a new chapter in the museum’s history.