DIBS presented by Chicago History

9. Inside the Griffin Museum: Chicago’s Legacy of Science & Innovation with Dr. Voula Saridakis


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This week on DIBS presented by @chicago_history, we sit down with Dr. Voula Saridakis, head curator at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.

In this episode, we cover:

  • The museum’s origins at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition and how it evolved into today’s Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
  • What’s hidden behind the walls: 35,000+ artifacts, with only a fraction on public display.
  • Stories behind iconic exhibits like the U-505 submarine, Apollo 8 command module, the coal mine, the Boeing 727, and the five-story tornado in Science Storms.
  • How exhibits like The Great Train Story sneak in Easter eggs (yes, those superhero figurines are intentional).
  • Annual traditions, including Christmas Around the World & Holidays of Light, and the museum’s deep partnerships with Chicago’s neighborhoods.
  • Preparing for new neighbors like the Obama Presidential Center and collaborating with institutions like the University of Chicago.
  • The museum’s future: digitizing its collections, expanding access through VR/AR, and inspiring the next generation of scientists and dreamers.

Episode Resources:

  • Griffin Museum of Science and Industry
  • U-505 Submarine Exhibit Tickets

Listen now and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and comment; it helps us continue to bring you the voices behind the institutions, people, and places that make Chicago extraordinary.

Connect with the hosts of DIBS on Instagram Nick Sarantos and Mallory Waxman

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DIBS presented by Chicago HistoryBy Mallory Waxman