Taking Up Spaces: The Field Museum

Posted on June 2, 2015April 17, 2020 by Elise Schmitt

If our events can be seen as fleeting, decorative murals–painted and washed away all in the course of a day–then the spaces we so transiently inhabit make for truly wonderful canvases, although surely not blank ones. Chicago, rich with diversity and authenticity, is home to such an array of tremendous spaces that designing events here is always an inspiring undertaking.

Hence, our blog series Taking Up Spaces continues. Join us as we venture inside these “canvases” to see some of the characteristics that make each of these places unique and enticing entities for celebrations.

Photo by averyhouse

This week we spoke to Katie Knox, Special Events Account Manager at the Field Museum, who shared some insight into the beauty and singularity of the Columbian Exposition-Era structure.

Kent Drake Photography

In addition to accommodating impressive permanent and temporary exhibitions, the Field Museum is a tremendous place to hold an event. Katie easily described why guests are “immediately mesmerized by the natural grandeur of Stanley Field Hall,” the Field’s premier event space:

Whether it be the grand double staircase,

A yellow summer wedding at the Field Museum buy HMR Designs and LK Events — Photo by averyhouse. Coordination by LK Events

the gleaming white marble,

A chic corporate event with green and white custom lounge sofas by HMR Designs — Kent Drake Photogrpahy

the skylit vaulted ceilings,

An Indian celebration at the Field Museum with decor by HMR Designs — Fandl Photography

or the stately columns,

Unique wedding lighting by HMR Designs at the Field Museum — Amanda Hein Photography

…all of these elements come together to fully exemplify the idea that Chicago’s historic venues are anything but blank canvasses to be adorned.

MORE THAN JUST A PRETTY FACADE

While surely a striking backdrop to any event, Katie also noted that the Field offers much more than just a pretty facade. The remarkable size of the venue allows for ultimate flexibility and seemingly endless possibilities for layouts and décor.

Custom fabric canopies span the length of The Field Museum for a corporate event designed by HMR Designs — Photo courtesy of HMR Designs

Blue and white floral, decor, and lighting for a stunning wedding by HMR Designs at the Field Museum — Photo courtesy of HMR Designs

What is perhaps a lesser known act is that Stanley Field Hall is only one of the many event spaces throughout the museum, which also offers an atrium, a library, theater spaces, outdoor terraces, classrooms and exhibit halls, each doubling as event spaces.

Use the arrows below the image to see a sampling of these offerings.

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IN GOOD HANDS

While the museum itself boasts a longstanding history of, well, history, the Special Events team boasts their own history of professionalism and efficiency. You are in the best of hands with a dedicated Account Manager–with you from the initial planning to the execution of the event, and the Field’s preferred vendors–all fully licenced in the policies and procedures of working in the space.

Original wedding floral, decor and lighting by HMR Designs at the Field Museum — Amanda Hein Photography / LK Events

Gold trees and diamond projections for a luxury corporate event at the Field Museum by HMR Designs — Photo courtesy of HMR Designs

WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

With so many choices, here are a few final reasons why Katie feel that Field is an outstanding one:

1) Guests are directed up to the balcony for cocktails…

Guests enjoy cocktail hour in the balcony of Field Museum's Stanley Field Hall — Amanda Hein Photography

Cocktail hour in the Field Museum Balcony — Kent Drake Photography

Kent Drake Photography

…and then invited down to dine next to SUE, the largest, most complete, best-preserved Tyrannosaurus Rex fossil yet discovered:

A pastel summer wedding at the Field Museum by HMR Designs and LK Events — Kent Drake Photography / LK Events

Corporate event design by HMR Designs at the Field Museum — Kent Drake Photography

A unique amber wedding at Field Museum by HMR Designs — Amanda Hein Photography / LK Events

2) The Field Museum houses 26 million artifacts and specimens (a number that is constantly growing)–and only 1% of these are on public display! During events, guests have access to explore the Field’s permanent halls. With collections ranging from anthropology, botany, geology and zoology, there’s something to engage every visitor.

Escort card table design by HMR Designs Floral and Decor for weddings — Amanda Hein Photography / LK Events

Kent Drake Photography

3) Located in the heart of the Museum Campus, there are unparalleled views of Lake Michigan and the city skyline.

Photo courtesy of the Field Museum

Outdoor terrace and view of Chicago at the Field Museum with decor by HMR Designs — Photo courtesy of HMR Designs

Choosing a space to host momentous life occasions is not one to be taken lightly, and choosing a space as momentous as the Field Museum is sure to make for vivid, lasting memories of these special days.

Rows of trees line an aisle at the Field Museum with floral by HMR Designs — Photo courtesy of HMR Designs

Spinning ferris wheels made by HMR Designs hang from the ceiling at the Field Museum — Photography by Tay

It’s always our pleasure to work at the Field. Thanks so very much to Katie Knox for expertise in “fielding” all of our questions, and all of our vendor partners for helping to make all of these events as fabulous as they were.

For more details on all of the Field Museum’s event spaces, click here.

For more information about hosting events at the Field Museum, click here.