2018 - Back-to-Back CHICAGO Trips (Miniatures)

In December Ina (she's the President of the Midwest Miniatures Museum located in Hickory Corners, Michigan) and I returned to the Art Institute of Chicago, this time by train. The Kalamazoo Transit Center is only a block from home and it is a beauty. It was built in 1887 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is Richardsonian Romanesque in architectural style.

It was designed by Cyrus Eidlitz, who also designed One Times Square in New York City, the building where the lighted ball drops each New Year's Eve. Red limestone gathered from Michigan's Upper Peninsula was the original material used. Read more history of this depot at:
http://www.greatamericanstations.com/stations/kalamazoo-mi-kal/

The train tracks run behind the depot.

The two arched tunnels flanking the original depot were added more recently. Similar stone from a quarry in Utah was used to match the original structure. City busses gather riders in this area.

The original ticket office is still used.

Orignal fireplace.

Not sure if the clock is original, but fits the historical decor.

 Here's their Christmas tree.

The train ride was clean, smooth, and on time (in both directions).

Union Station in Chicago is architecturally lovely as well, especially when decorated for the holidays. Their tree was huge.

We visited the gift shop filled with train related toys and such. That's Ina shifting out of the photo.

We arrived at the museum by cab.

The lions "guarding" the entrance wore full holiday regalia.

The reason for this trip to the museum was a lecture on the Thorne Room Collection. It is a set of 68 window box rooms depicting miniature vignettes, mostly European (13th century to 1930s) and American (17th century to 1930s). Their architectural interiors and furnishings were meticulously constructed by master craftsmen in a 1-inch to 1-foot scale. Work was designed and directed between 1932 and 1940 by  Mrs. James Ward Thorne (thus the name) of Chicago.

These are seven examples of the rooms. They are not individually explained here, but on the museum's website rooms are identified by country and era. I particularly like the art deco example, but each one is a treasure. If you tap on the photos, they blow up to view more detail and info.
https://www.artic.edu/departments/PC-15/thorne-miniature-rooms

Keep in mind these are tiny in reality although they look like a photo of a full size room.

Windows in most also displayed outside scenery of the time. Many included snow to be in sync with the season. (Sorry about the reflections.)

Some were decorated for the holidays with fruits and treats and other appropriate to the country accessories.

So realistic in every detail including ceilings.

Each little book, vase, painting, piece of furniture was realistically created by master artisans.

Prairie-style dining room from the USA.

A few other countries and spaces (such as a Pullman rail car and a Catholic church) are also represented. This is a traditional Chinese interior from 1937.

There are many references on line describing these room, the history of the project, and the biography of Mrs. Thorne. All fascinating!

After seeing the collection we browsed the museum a bit more. Here's a huge Marc Chagall stained-glass window design titled "American Window."

 An interesting old recliner.

 Modern glass and ceramic ware.

And paintings, of course. Ina and I are standing next to "Bedroom at Arles." This is one of my Van Gogh favorites and there is also a miniature replica of this same bedroom in our Midwest Miniatures Museum.

The gift shop. I didn't know who "Hairy Who" is, but look here:
https://www.artic.edu/exhibitions/2722/hairy-who-1966-1969

After a wonderful museum lecture on the history of the Thorne Rooms, a visit to various galleries of the museum, and a quick snack at Union Station, we hopped back onto Amtrak for the trip home.

It was a wonderful and fulfilling day. Just love visiting Chicago (my home town) and Ina is a fabulous traveling companion.