The Shedd Aquarium opened on May 30, 1930, on Chicago’s lakefront as a gift from retail executive John G. Shedd to the city. Housed in a Beaux Arts building designed by Graham, Anderson, Probst & White, it holds the distinction of being the first inland aquarium in the world to maintain a permanent saltwater fish collection, a feat made possible by railroad tank cars that hauled seawater from Florida and the Florida Keys during its early years.
Today the aquarium holds around 5 million US gallons of water spread across its exhibits, home to roughly 32,000 animals representing about 1,500 species. Its Abbott Oceanarium wing, added in 1991, contains a 2-million-gallon tank called Whale Harbor and is billed as the largest indoor marine mammal facility in the world. The building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987, cementing its place as both a scientific institution and a Chicago architectural icon.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Opened: May 30, 1930
- Size: About 5 million gallons of water
- Species/Animal Count: About 32,000 animals, 1,500 species
- Annual Visitors: About 2 million
- Famous For: First inland aquarium with a permanent saltwater collection
Inside the Exhibits
Shedd’s permanent galleries include Waters of the World, Wonder of Water, Amazon Rising, and Wild Reef, each recreating aquatic habitats from around the globe. The Abbott Oceanarium showcases beluga whales, dolphins, and sea otters against a backdrop of floor-to-ceiling windows facing Lake Michigan, blending the aquarium’s indoor exhibits with views of the lake itself.
A Chicago Landmark
Construction on the octagonal, Doric-columned building began in 1927 and finished in 1929, ahead of its 1930 public opening. Its classical exterior, adorned with aquatic motifs, earned it National Historic Landmark status in 1987, and it remains one of the anchor institutions of Chicago’s Museum Campus alongside the Field Museum and Adler Planetarium.
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Shedd Aquarium FAQs
When did the Shedd Aquarium open?
It opened to the public on May 30, 1930, as a gift from businessman John G. Shedd.
How many animals live at the Shedd Aquarium?
The aquarium is home to about 32,000 animals representing roughly 1,500 species.
Is the Shedd Aquarium a National Historic Landmark?
Yes, the building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
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Photo: Sea Cow / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.