Illinois Holocaust Museum to Close for Renovations, Temporary Location to Open Downtown
The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center in Skokie is temporarily closing this summer for renovations, but will offer a substitute by opening a temporary satellite museum downtown.
Renovations and Expansion
“Our attendance has grown dramatically since our early days as a museum,” CEO Bernard Cherkasov said. “In the last two years alone we’ve broken our single-day visitation record five times.”
The Skokie museum will close all exhibitions on June 2, but will remain open for school groups and other by-reservation programming until the entire facility closes on July 1 for construction. The Skokie museum is slated to begin partially reopening in January 2026.
Renovations will include a new lobby, a modern redesign of its auditorium, and the creation of a reflection space within the museum’s core Holocaust exhibit.
Temporary Downtown Location
To accommodate visitors during construction, the museum will open a downtown satellite location at the former site of the Museum of Broadcast Communications at State and Kinzie Streets. The temporary space will open in July and remain open through June 2026, showcasing new versions of some of the museum’s most popular exhibits, including virtual reality, a holographic theater, a Holocaust timeline, and more.
Artist’s Rendering of the New Reflective Space
Courtesy of the Illinois Holocaust Museum
Artist’s Rendering of the New Visitors’ Center
Courtesy of the Illinois Holocaust Museum
Conclusion
By opening the downtown satellite museum, the Illinois Holocaust Museum aims to reach new audiences who have not had the opportunity to visit the Skokie location. The temporary space will offer a unique and engaging experience for visitors, providing a preview of the museum’s future plans and commitments to its mission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the reason for the temporary closure of the Skokie museum?
A: The museum is undergoing renovations and expansion, including the creation of a new lobby, auditorium, and reflection space.
Q: When will the Skokie museum reopen?
A: The museum is expected to partially reopen in January 2026.
Q: What can visitors expect from the temporary downtown location?
A: The temporary location will feature new versions of popular exhibits, including virtual reality, a holographic theater, a Holocaust timeline, and more.
Q: How will the temporary location be different from the Skokie museum?
A: The temporary location will be a smaller, more condensed version of the Skokie museum, with a focus on new exhibits and experiences.
