2021 Year in Review

The Museum announced its reopening just 16 days into 2021, and it was a joy to see your smiling faces walk through our doors. We could not have welcomed our members and fans without our incredible staff—especially our front-of-house team—or without your generous support.

As more than 600,000 visitors enjoyed the Field in person this year, our Learning Center served tens of thousands of families and online learners through virtual programming. Behind the scenes, our scientists never stopped cataloging new items. Our collections managers continued their dedicated care of almost 40 million objects and specimens.

The specimens in our collection live a second life contributing to research, like this headline-making Xerces Blue Butterfly and these spotted skunks. These studies remind us of the vital importance of our collections. Co-Director of the Grainger Bioinformatics Center Felix Grewe says that when the Xerces butterfly was, “collected 93 years ago, nobody was thinking about sequencing its DNA. That's why we have to keep collecting, for researchers 100 years in the future."

We weren’t alone on this scientific journey. People like you joined us for community science events such as WeDigBio, the monarch community science project, seed collecting, and more. It takes so many people, talents, and backgrounds to make the Field a place of discovery, possibility, and learning. Thank you for joining us.

Browse learning resources for students and at-home learners

A Year of New Discoveries

We never stop learning. Drawing on the Museum’s collections, colleagues, state-of-the-art research facilities, and more, our 130 staff scientists learn something new every day about Earth and its people. Make a gift of any amount to support scientific discoveries like the ones we made in 2021.

Make a Gift

Serving community

The Field works to be an active partner in the numerous communities it is part of. This year we strengthened our conservation and education programs across the city while maintaining online programming to reach people across the world. Back at the Museum, staff welcomed Native American community members as we work toward the renovation of the Native North American Hall. 

Support our Science

From maintaining exhibitions to providing world-class educational programs to supporting fieldwork across the world, we couldn’t do our work without you. Make a gift in any amount to contribute to research, collections care, and innovative learning experiences.

Give Today

Our Building turns 100!

On May 2, 1921 the Field Museum opened the doors of its new home—an ambitious building on Chicago’s lakefront. In its first 100 years, this space has welcomed 137 million visitors, supported the research of generations of scientists, and housed an irreplaceable collection of almost 40 million artifacts and specimens.

Staying connected

In another challenging year, we’re so grateful for your support and action. Whether you followed our T. rex running around unSUEpervised on social media or attended a virtual program, you’re part of a larger community that supports science, learning, and a brighter future for all. 

Stay connected with a Field membership. Enjoy even more from the Field through virtual collections tours, early access to new exhibitions, Store discounts, Members’ Nights, and more. 

Join Today

Further Reading

More discoveries, programming, and learning to take you through to a new year.

Science News

• Turning off lights can save migrating birds from crashing into buildings
• Earth’s biggest mass extinction took ten times longer on land than in the water
• “Ray guns” let scientists use light instead of DNA to tell plant populations apart
• Largest-ever study of artificial insemination in sharks—and the occasional “virgin birth”
• Amazon “mystery plant” declared a new species after nearly 50 years of flummoxing scientists

Programs and events

• Youth Conversation Action programs
• Dozin’ with the Dinos
• Meet A Museum Insider
• Field Museum calendar of events

Resources

• Field Guides
• Learning Resources by topic and grade level
• Land Acknowledgment panel
• Climate action toolkit
• Accessing the Field at Home