Family-Friendly Galleries

Thorne Miniature Rooms

Gallery 11
The Thorne Miniature Rooms (68 model rooms created on a one-inch-to-one-foot scale) are one of the most beloved collections at the Art Institute. These fascinating models of interiors and furnishings from the late 13th century to the 1930s were conceived by Mrs. James Ward Thorne of Chicago and constructed between 1932 and 1940 by master craftsmen according to her specifications. Peek inside these Lilliputian interiors and discover a host of tiny treasures—from solid gold toy trains to miniature versions of modern masterpieces.

Arms and Armor: Highlights of the Permanent Collection

Galleries 235–237
Featuring full suits, half suits, pole arms, cannons, and a knight on horseback, this installation brings viewers closer to the world where these objects might have been seen gleaming on the parade ground or heard clanging on the battlefield. Both young and old alike can marvel at the artistry and craftsmanship in these remarkable pieces of not-so-ancient history.