On a sunny but cold day, we drove back to Chicago to go to the Museum of Science and Industry. Tyler wanted to see the museum. I remembered seeing the museum in the mid-1980s. One of the exhibits I never forgot was the captured German U-boat. Tyler could not wait to see it for himself.
Upon arrival, since Tyler was in uniform, he received complimentary admission. Once we were in the museum, we stopped for the obligatory family photographs.
The new Navy Seaman with mom.The new Navy Seaman with mom and sister.The new Navy Seaman with the papa.
As we began our tour of the museum, one of the first things I spotted was a drawing by Salvador Dali. Because of our time in Spain, I found that very interesting.
A Salvador Dali drawing signed to the Museum of Science and Industry.
One of the exhibits had to do with the circus and side-shows in small-town America. Tyler and Hillary got a lot of enjoyment out of the exhibition and the photo ops.
I think our kids may be clowns……yep! It is confirmed!!Two movie posters from the silent film era.What?! A Navy Seaman at the helm??I may have mentioned that our children are clowns…
We made our way to the U-505 exhibit. The exhibit centers around the German u-boat captured by the Americans during World War II. It is vastly different from when I initially visited the museum. Most notable is the fact that the submarine is now inside. Installations were showing the period newspapers and dioramas of sailors clinging to life after u-boats torpedoed their ships.
About halfway down the ramp toward the submarine, a young man met us to take our photo that we could purchase later. We allowed the picture.
Our submarine tour began at about 11:00. I did not recall a tour when I visited previously. I remember walking through the submarine. Regardless, the tour added a lot to our experience. There is not a great deal of space in the sub. One of the facts from the tour that stuck with me regarded the number of men on the submarine, 59, with only one working bathroom. I can only imagine the stench there must have been when the capturing American forces opened the submarine. One of the Americans haled from Grand Junction, Colorado according to the documents on display outside of the submarine.
This silhouette made on December 7 has an element of irony.Various headlines in the U-505 exhibit.A diorama in the U-505 exhibit.A recruiting poster for the WAVES.Another recruiting poster for the WAVES.The u-boat U-505 as seen from the bow.The starboard side of U-505.Projectile holes near the insignia on the conning tower of U-505.Onboard the U-505. This bunk area is shared with torpedoes.The galley area of U-505.The captain’s quarters on U-505.The chadburn or engine order telegraph on the U-505.The way to the top of the conning tower on the U-505.Various communication tubes on the U-505.Walking through the engine room of the U-505.A small lion head on the U-505 caught my attention.Another sleeping area on the U-505.An epaulet on display on U-505.The lead-weighted secret codebook from the U-505.Sleeping may not have been so comfortable for this Navy Seaman on the U-505.The captain’s log from the U-505.One of the twin anchors on the U-505.I noticed this medal of honor recipient, Philip N. Trusheim, is from Grand Junction, Colorado. The medal was for his part in the capture of U-505.A Nazi flag from the U-505.
The main exhibit at the museum during our visit consisted of Christmas trees, each sporting the decorations of the country sponsoring the tree. For example, the tree sponsored by Brussels had waffles for decorations.
The Belgian-themed Christmas tree.Christmas trees everywhere.The Christmas trees were decorated in motifs from various countries.Detail of a cross and ornament.An ornament of Mary and Jesus.There was nearly too much for the eye to take in at the museum.Mickey Mouse decorating a Christmas tree with Pluto.A central lobby in the Museum of Science and Industry.Share the Magic with Pluto.Marveling at the Christmas trees.Share the joy with Goofy.Share the tradition with Donald and Daisy.Share the season with Mickey and Minnie.The Holiday Shop.The expanse of the central lobby filled with Christmas trees.Looking down on the Christmas tree.
A Walt Disney Treasures exhibit also vied for the top spot of viewing pleasure.
Walt Disney’s book of Sleeping Beauty.Portrait of Mickey Mouse that once hung in Walt Disney’s office.
There was so much on display in the transpiration area of the museum that it was hard to focus on the exhibits.
Model of a town in the transportation area of the museum.Tail section of a United Boeing 727.Detail of a diorama in the travel section of the museum.The Spirit of America.A German Messerschmidt.The nose of the United Boeing 727.A racing plane.The racing plane and the Christmas trees in the central lobby.
We opted to have lunch in the museum cafeteria. I believe the quality of the food surprised us all. Shortly after lunch, we drove back north for a well-deserved nap.
Ahhh…the pause that refreshes!!
Below are some additional, random photos from our visit. If the reader has not visited the Museum of Science and Industry, it is an absolute must-see if in the Chicago area.
A central staircase in the Museum of Science and Industry.THINK. Part of a display at the Museum of Science and Industry.A pendulum at the Museum of Science and Industry.Interacting with the large circular disk full of sand.The large disk filled with sand.THINK about that photograph…Purple silhouette.Green silhouette.Blue silhouette.Some young women singers readying for a performance.The young women meeting prior to their performance.Green mirror maze.Be careful in the mirror maze.The blueish-purple mirror maze.Tyler in the mirror maze.The entry to the U-505 Submarine exhibit.
