The museum will reopen to non-members on July 24.
Back in March — a lifetime ago — the Field Museum closed its doors to the public in abidance of the state’s stay-at-home order. Next week, the museum will reopen to the public for the first time in nearly four months.
“We’re reopening on July 24, with a preview for members July 17-21,” the museum wrote in an Instagram post. “We’ve missed you so much and are thrilled to welcome you back to our open halls.”
Like other recently reopened museums, zoos, and aquariums, Field is implementing a new safety and sanitary measures in order to keep visitors safe.
“Our top priority is to create a safe environment for all of our visitors and staff, while letting you reconnect with science and culture in the exhibits you know and love. We used CDC recommendations as well as museum guidelines from the State of Illinois to create our reopening policies and procedures,” the museum wrote on their website.
Their updated safety measures include:
- mandatory face masks for staff and visitors (over the age of 2)
- temporarily closing highly interactive features
- indicators guiding walkways to encourage social distancing
- 144 hand sanitizing stations throughout building
- frequent, thorough CDC-guided cleaning procedures
- capacity limited to 25% a day
For non-members, the museum will be available on July 24. Field encourages visitors to get their tickets in advance, as the entries will be timed. Online orders get $3 discounts on the All-Access Pass.
The museum recommends that upon entry, you leave at least six feet between you and surrounding visitors. In order to further encourage social distancing, the museum has implemented one-way walking paths.
While some highly interactive exhibits will be temporarily closed, the museum plans to leave most of its attractions open, including:
- Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet
- Inside Ancient Egypt
- Grainger Hall of Gems
- Apsáalooke Women And Warriors
The Rice Native Gardens will also be open for walks and strolls. In addition, while the Explorer Café is closed, the main floor Field Bistro will be open with a reduced menu for quick grab-and-go service.
Field will also allow members to bring their own food in a sealed container, as well as closed water bottles. You can have your meal in designated areas around the grounds, including the tables outside the East entrance and benches throughout the campus for a picnic.
Tickets go on sale July 9. First responders, health care workers, and teachers will be allowed free admission from July 24 – August 9.
If you don’t think you’ll be ready to venture out just then, you can still see the museum online here.
See also: Shedd Aquarium’s Penguins Went On A Field Trip To The Field Museum And It Was Too Cute!
[Featured image: @@erinhoytphotography]