INTRODUCTIONThe Chicago Historical Society was founded in 1856 and has spent the majority of its 153-year history as an institution dedicated to the diverse and evolving history of Chicago and the 'Illinois. In 2006, the institution emerged from a remarkable 21-month physical and philosophical transformation. Not only has the museum undertaken a complete renovation of its galleries, but it has also taken steps to update its public persona so that it is more representative of the broader communities living in Chicago. The museum was renamed the Chicago History Museum (CHM) as the Chicago History Museum (CHM). a way of making itself more accessible to new populations of visitors who previously felt excluded by the old, aristocratic-sounding name of the institution. One of the main new demographics the renovated museum sought was children. This study focuses on the conceptualization, planning, development and execution of the interactive gallery space designed to be the centerpiece of this initiative. The Sensing Chicago gallery was designed specifically to inspire young CHM visitors to think about their own personal relationship with Chicago's history. This discussion will also analyze the question of the educational responsibility of modern museums as well as some strategies for involving young people in the museum setting.METHODOLOGYThe methodology undertaken for this ethnography was mainly a mixture of observations and interviews. I spent about eight hours in or around the Sensing Chicago exhibit recording the children's habits, talking to CHM volunteers, talking to the children's parents or teachers, or testing the exhibits myself. In addition to taking written notes, I used a digital camera to capture photos while...... middle of paper ......ition was instrumental in creating 'a valuable experience for tens of thousands of people. visitors that the CHM receives every year. The Sensing Chicago gallery encourages children to make new connections to themselves and the past by personalizing history through the five senses using hands-on exhibits. After visiting the gallery, children realize they have the sensory tools necessary to understand and appreciate Chicago's history. The renovation of CHM and the subsequent success of Sensing Chicago offered insight into the evolving pedagogical role of museum education in conjunction with classroom learning. Works CitedMcRainey, Russick. “Investigating technology to connect children with history.” J. Paul Getty Museum Symposium (2005)McRainey, Russick. “Learning from children: connecting the exhibition to the public. " Conservative 52/2(2009): 183-192.