I had read about the wonderful Tiffany glass dome in the Cultural Center in Chicago just across from Millennium Park so I jumped off the trolley to go have a look. I was greeted by a 3-story vaulted lobby with walls of white marble and mosaics.
The dome was restored to Tiffany’s original vision. Now the dome can be seen as it was in 1897, when the building opened as the first Chicago Public Library, and the room now named Preston Bradley Hall was where people picked up the books they had requested. Natural light shines through the glass, changing the subtle colors of the restored glass minute-by-minute. There is much evidence in the buildings interior to point to the fact that this building used to be the first Chicago Public Library.
The cultural center is free and the hours it’s open are very generous. I missed another dome in the building that I read about after the fact.
Today, Wednesday, I’m cashing in a Mother’s Day present from middle son for a massage. I think I’ve needed one since Katie and Andrew’s wedding in March. I booked the full 90 minute tranquility massage. Ahhh….If you don’t hear from me you’ll know that I’m in relaxation mode.
I’m also be linking to Alphabe-Thursday with Miss Jenny for the letter D…dome!
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
So beautiful – I’ve not seen this building, but I will the next time I am home in the Chicago ‘burbs for a visit 🙂
That was really cool, Ellen — thanks for the tour and great views of the dome. I like the quotes surrounding it.
Great shots of the Tiffany done Ellen!!! So beautiful.
Oh my word….so much beauty, so much detail. SO GLAD you got to go to share with us. I’ll have to put this on my list for things to see when we go back to Chicago. WOW. YAY for a massage….I might need to schedule one soon. I would go weekly if I could afford it. Such a wonderful gift!
Wow! Can anyone be fully satisfied with a visit to a little branch library after seeing how magnificent that library is? I think of modern Spartan design libraries and churches are missing something.
This is beautiful, Ellen. Thanks for sharing this wonderful place.
I met our mutual friend in Portland last Saturday–sadly, it was at her brother’s memorial service.
I heard about her brother and was wondering if you knew him…
Ellen, what gorgeous pictures! That first picture of the dome just took my breath. How wonderful that they restored it to its previous splendor. Thank you for sharing this tour. I really enjoyed it. laurie
Beautiful!! I have never had a massage, I am squeamish! Hope you are all relaxed!
There is something to marvel about everywhere and the Tiffany Cultural Center is evidence of that! Tiffany glass is so beautiful and to see something this large is amazing! Your pictures are so good, too! Thanks for the experience!!
A 90 minute massage will leave you relaxed!! 🙂 I’m happy for you.
they’re gorgeous! thanks showing us for the wonderful pics. hope you have a sweet day.
You found a wonderful place, Ellen. 🙂 The dome is soooo pretty as are all the mosaics and the quotes from famous authors. You managed the camera very well too.
My Jim’s Alphabe-Thursday
My link didn’t work as it was posted. There were a bunch of comic book swear words in it??? (like %$#@#$%, etc)
This one will work,
http://jimmiehov.blogspot.com/search/label/Alphabe-Thursday
Nice pictures! Hope you enjoyed your massage!
What a fabulous place! I loved all the sayings and quotes built into the dome.
Enjoy that massage and just say ahhhhhhhhhh.
what an amazing piece of art and architecture … how beautiful, thanks for sharing this!
Beautiful! Domes and mosaics!
The artistry of buildings from so many years ago always amazes me!
Stunning photos. I lived there for years and never saw that. I’ll sure look into it the next time I visit!
I have never been in this building…..it will have to get on my next Chicago “have to” list! Your pictures make it look amazing, which I’m sure it is.
Your message sounds vvveeerrryyy rreeeellllaaaxxxxinggg……..;)
Gorgeous, and I love the book quote in particular.
=)
Gorgeous these pictures ! When I visited Chicago for the first time, I was amazed about the beautiful architecture of the skyscrapers too. Usually they are ugly but the old once in Chicago just were beautiful !
Wow! That’s absolutely gorgeous! The glass in the dome must be worth an unbelievable amount of money!
Wow! That is very cool!!!
Wow, I already hang out at the library way too much. I would be there all the time with that lovely architecture . Beautiful.
How have I missed this in Chicago?
Those quotes are gorgeous and the whole place is absolutely jaw dropping.
Hope your massage was fabulous!
Thanks for a delightful link.
A+