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From WBEZ.

I'm Erin Allen.

Chicago is known for its rich art scene.

All you have to do is step outside to see a beautiful mural or go to institutions like the Art Institute or the

Du Sable Museum. This led one artist and Curiosity listener to ask, what was the first art gallery

in Chicago? The question took us way back to the 1840s and 50s when the city was trying

to level up its image. We know that we're known for lumber and, you know, stockyards, but we have art too.

This is Diane Dillon. She's a scholar in residence at the Newberry Library.

Chicago is finally like declaring to the world, we are not just your hog butcher.

The city was leaning into arts and culture for its glow-up,

and galleries were a part of that. But what even is an art gallery? Today, we think of a gallery

as a space, usually with lots of blank white walls, where the public shows up to see art,

and typically art for sale.

But back in the 1800s, it could have been a commercial dealer

or sometimes an auction house.

Either way, it generally referred to a place where you could see art,

which takes us to the first art gallery.

Northwestern University professor Pamela Banos says,

according to historical records, it all starts in 1849,

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