Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Illinois Senate President John Cullerton helped mark the end of major core and shell construction of the new Museum of Broadcast Communications, 360 N. State Street, during a June 16 ceremony.
The open house was a benefit for the non-profit MBC. Several of the museum's most prized artifacts were on display, including one of the original Charlie McCarthy puppets ( a radio icon created by the late Chicagoan Edgar Bergen ) , the postcard-stuffed drum from WGN's Bozo's Circus, the camera used for John F. Kennedy's close-up during the first televised presidential debate in 1960, The Blob from local TV favorite Bill Jackson, the Family Classics set ( with Roy Leonard in person ) and a baseball bat chair from the collection of beloved sportscaster Jack Brickhouse.
Guests were also able to play the Grand Prize Game ( for real prizes ) and meet WGN's Bozo the Clown and the legendary Rich Koz ( Svengoolie ) from WCIU-TV.
The Museum is still raising final finishing funds. See http://www.muse
Photos for Windy City Times by Hal BaimPhotos for Windy City Times by Hal Baim
Photos:
MBC's Bruce Dumont ( left ) with Chicago broadcast legend Roy Leonard. Photo by Hal Baim. Many more photos online at www.windycitymediagroup.com
An artistic drawing of the Museum of Broadcast Communications building.