The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry will restore its original south entrance as part of a major renovation. The project will reopen the museum’s historic South Portico, enhancing public access and introducing new features.
The $10 million renovation is funded by the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation — the largest grant ever awarded by the foundation. Construction is scheduled to begin this spring with completion expected by 2027.
The museum’s South Portico was designed initially as The Palace of Fine Arts for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition. This restoration will reestablish the building’s connection to Jackson Park and the nearby Columbian Basin. Visitors will also be able to enjoy a new outdoor café and terrace with scenic views of the park’s lagoon and the Obama Presidential Center, which is set to open in 2026.
“This project represents a pivotal moment for the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry as we honor its historic past while leading the museum forward,” Chevy Humphrey, the museum’s president and CEO, said in a statement.
The upgrades will also make the entrance more accessible, including the addition of an elevator and other improvements for visitors with disabilities.
“The south entrance has been closed for years, and this project gives us a rare chance to bring it back to life,” Anne Lazar, executive director of the Driehaus Foundation, said in a statement.
The museum’s north entrance will remain open throughout construction, and access to the surrounding park and roads will not be affected.