Democratic National Convention, 1896. (Courtesy of Chicago History Museum)
Since the 19th century, Chicago has hosted 14 Republican National Conventions, the most recent in 1960. This week Vice President Kamala Harris will accept her nomination at the 12th Democratic National Convention to be held in Chicago.
The city has also hosted third party conventions, including those for the Green Party, the Greenback Party and the American Independent Party, which nominated Lester Maddox in 1976. Maddox was the Georgia guy who closed his restaurant rather than integrate and called Jimmy Carter “the most dishonest man I’ve ever met.”
While researching a story on historic political conventions in Chicago — from Abraham Lincoln’s nomination at the Wigwam to the “smoke-filled room” that chose Warren G. Harding — we quickly realized the Chicago History Museum had already done an exemplary job on the topic.
Fortunately, WTTW News has a good relationship with the Chicago History Museum, with whom we’ve partnered on programs including “Chicago Stories” and “Chicago Tonight.” We reached out, and the museum graciously granted WTTW News permission to link to the information assembled from the research collection.
The museum at 1601 N. Clark St. currently has a pop-up display of ephemera from past Democratic conventions in Chicago. And if you visit, check out the exhibition “Designing for Change: Chicago Protest Art of the 1960s-70s.”
What follows is part of the Chicago History Museum’s illustrated guide to political conventions beginning in 1860. Images come from the museum’s Chicago Daily News collection.
Click here to view the full convention guide.
Republican National Convention, Wigwam, 1860. (Courtesy of Chicago History Museum)
Republican National Convention, 1888. (Courtesy of Chicago History Museum)
Republican National Convention, 1908. (Courtesy of Chicago History Museum)
Republican National Convention at Chicago Stadium, 1932. (Courtesy of Chicago History Museum)
Democratic National Convention, 1968. (Stephen Deutch)
