CHICAGO -- There's a marvelous free exhibit at the Illinois State Museum's Chicago Gallery, in the state of Illinois Building at 100 W. Randolph.
It's called "The Urge to Embellish," and it's filled with amazing objects: historic crazy quilts, delicate all-lace dresses, a wonderful cigar store Indian, a wreath made of human hair and worn to the funeral of Abraham Lincoln. And so much more.
This small gallery can be seen and savored in about an hour, or less. The explanations beside the objects will open your eyes to new insights about the nation's past. For example, why were cigar store Indians everywhere in times past? Answer: many people were illiterate but understood the symbolism of the idea that Indians introduced Europeans to tobacco.
This exhibit runs until Dec. 30. It's open M-F 9-5 p.m. The Illinois Artisan's Shop is next door, and filled with lovely objects made by Illinois artists, for sale. That shop also has great markdowns after Christmas.
If you're in Chicago, don't miss this small museum.
-- Elaine Hopkins
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