Shedd Aquarium

The John G. Shedd Aquarium was the vision of its namesake, John G. Shedd, the second president of the Marshall Field & Company retail empire. Shedd wanted to give Chicago a world-class aquarium to complement the nearby Field Museum, donating $2 million for its construction in the 1920s. Although he passed away before its completion, the aquarium opened its doors in 1930, instantly becoming a centerpiece of Chicago's cultural landscape on the shores of Lake Michigan. Architecturally, the building is a masterpiece of the Beaux-Arts style, designed by Graham, Anderson, Probst & White. Clad in white Georgia marble and adorned with aquatic motifs like turtles and dolphins in its terracotta moldings, it was the first inland aquarium in the world to maintain a permanent saltwater collection. To achieve this, millions of gallons of seawater were transported from Key West to Chicago via custom-built railroad tank cars nicknamed the 'Nautilus.' Over the decades, the Shedd has evolved from a simple exhibition space into a global leader in marine conservation and research. Major expansions like the Abbott Oceanarium in 1991, which houses beluga whales and dolphins, and the Wild Reef in 2003, featuring a massive shark habitat, have modernized the facility. Today, it serves as a vital rescue center and educational hub, connecting millions of visitors annually to the wonders of the aquatic world.