Located on the top floor of a historic building in the South Loop, a new exhibition is showcasing the origins of everyday household items.
The Chicago Brand Museum features an extensive collection of vintage products that reveal how familiar brands looked and functioned decades ago. Among the displays are early versions of toys and groceries, including cardboard boxes that were once used to sell ice cream and the original instructions for Mr. Potato Head, which required children to provide an actual potato.
The Chicago Brand Museum opens on Michigan Avenue with thousands of vintage toys
What began as a private collection is now open to the public. The glass cases are filled with thousands of nostalgic items, such as original Play-Doh containers, vintage Macintosh Plus packaging, early packets of Kool-Aid, and retro boxes of Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts.
What began as a private collection is now open to the public. As you walk through the store, you will encounter glass cases filled with thousands of nostalgic items, such as original Play-Doh containers, vintage Macintosh Plus packaging, early packets of Kool-Aid, and retro boxes of Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts. The museum also houses rare artifacts tied to local history, including an unopened pack of Juicy Fruit chewing gum dating back to the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.
What is most fascinating is that the museum uses modern technology to enhance its physical displays. By scanning the glass cases with a smartphone, visitors can access archival information and watch vintage television commercials featuring the exact products displayed on the shelves.
The Chicago Brand Museum is located at 2412 S Michigan Ave.
