Past Events
2054 Book Talk with Admiral James Stavridis and Margaret Hoover
At this exclusive event, Admiral James Stavridis, retired Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, and Margaret Hoover, PBS television host of Firing Line, discuss the soon-to-be-released book, 2054. This sequel to New York Times best seller 2034 blends fiction with well-informed predictions of the potential geopolitical impact of America’s violent partisan divide combined with cyber breaches, biotech, and AI singularity, to explore how it could change not just the fate of American democracy, but the entire world order.(In-person and Live-stream options available)
WWI Series Part I: Flirting with Danger with Janet Wallach
Join author Janet Wallach and the International Spy Museum for a conversation on her book “Flirting with Danger: The Mysterious Life of Marguerite Harrison, Socialite Spy.” Follow this widowed socialite of America’s Gilded Age, Marguerite Harrison, who became a US spy and Russian double agent from WWI to WWII. In partnership with the Spy Museum International.
Ghosts of Honolulu: Mark Harmon & Leon Carroll Jr. Exclusive Event
Celebrate Veterans Day at the PMML with special guests: author and NCIS actor Mark Harmon and co-author and former NCIS Special Agent, Leon Carroll Jr. for an in-person book discussion and signing of their soon to be released book, Ghosts of Honolulu: A Japanese Spy, A Japanese American Spy Hunter, and the Untold Story of Pearl Harbor.
The Civil War After Appomattox
Join us for a discussion with Stephen A. Goldman M.D., author of One More War to Fight: Union Veterans' Battle for Equality through Reconstruction, Jim Crow, and the Lost Cause, and Dr. Caroline E. Janney, author of Ends of War: The Unfinished Fight of Lee's Army after Appomattox. Moderator Dr. Kate Masur, author and professor at Northwestern University, will guide the conversation of their research and writings about the continued battles of Civil War soldiers long after Appomattox.
The Slaves' Gamble: Choosing Sides in the War of 1812
As in the American Revolution, the chaos of war provided opportunities for free and enslaved black Americans to claim further freedoms by fighting for British, Spanish, and American Indian militias. While much of this freedom was short-lived after the war, it set the stage for national emancipation after the Civil War. Join Gene Smith, author of The Slaves' Gamble: Choosing Sides in the War of 1812 at the Pritzker Military Museum and Library for a lunchtime presentation on November 30th to learn more about this gamble for freedom.
Misson Possible: The Story of Repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Join the Pritzker Military Museum and Library for a conversation with C. Dixon Osburn, co-founder of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network that led the successful effort to repeal the 1993 “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy in 2010 which banned open service by lesbian, gay and bisexual service members. Osburn’s book: Mission Possible: The Story of Repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell outlines a blueprint for fighting the odds to change civil and human rights policy and laws.
Veterans and Their Families: Mental Health Matters
The Pritzker Military Museum and Library honors the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families with Mental Health Matters-a special day focused on resources for mental health and wellness with family activities including art therapy, pet therapy, yoga therapy, and more. Be sure to bring your children to enjoy a reading of Mathius Carter’s book, Instead of Sheep, A Soldier’s Way of Explaining PTSD to His Son and refreshments at 11:30 am. The day concludes with a panel discussion around the history of PTSD in the US military with mental health experts and veterans at 2:30 pm.
Commemorating the Yom Kippur War and US Israel Relations
Join the Pritzker Military Museum and Library to discuss the impact and significance of the Yom Kippur War after 50 years from the modernization of warfare to current US-Israel Relations. The Yom Kippur War is still taught in US Army training today and influenced the adoption of the AirLand Battle Doctrine. The panel includes U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, April Jenkins, Major General Nadav Padan, 34-year veteran of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and Yinam Cohen, Consul General of Israel to the Midwest. Moderating this accomplished panel is Arthur Cyr, author, professor and former vice president of the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations.
*Livestream option available
Violins of Hope
Join the us for this special one-day-only exhibit and programs with the JCC Chicago’s Violins of Hope to explore the stories of Jewish musicians and their violins, violas, and cellos from before and during World War II. Musicians of any age can sign up to play these historic instruments throughout the afternoon. Visitors can explore a temporary exhibition of historical instruments, join a lunchtime discussion with Pastor Chris Edmonds, attend an evening reception with a live performance, and partake in an intimate conversation with Avshi Weinstein, co-founder of Violins of Hope.
Our Promise: 100 Years of the American Battle Monuments Commission
5:00 PM CST: Reception
6:00 PM CST: Premiere and Discussion
Join the PMML and ABMC for the Midwest premiere of documentary, Our Promise: 100 Years of the American Battle Monuments Commission. The reception beings at 5:00 pm and the film followed by moderated discussion and audience Q&A begins at 6:00 pm in-person and livestreamed. Our Promise shares the story of ABMC in a powerful history that captures the beauty and the breadth of this essential work. The American Battle Monuments Commission, a Federal agency serves as guardian of America's military cemeteries and memorials in 17 countries, upholding nation's promise to forever honor all those who served.
Introductions: PMML President, Dr. Krewasky Salter & ABMC Commissioner Amy Looney Heffernan
Moderator: Mike Knapp
Panelists: Commissioner Amy Looney Heffernan, Superintendent Carly Mathieu, Gretchen Wronka (NOK)
Honor Memorial Day at PMML
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM - Free Admission & Programs
10:15 AM - 12:15 PM - Caricaturist
10:30 AM - Medal for My Hero Family Workshop (in-person, registration required)
2:30 PM - Global Strategy Briefing with US. Army Colonel Timothy J. MacDonald (hybrid program: in-person and virtual options available, registration required)
Join us Saturday May 27th from 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM for a special Memorial Day celebration: explore our new exhibit, Tet and the Battle of Hue, try your hand at our family craft activities, step into the Story Station to record your Memorial Day message, or take a selfie with Rosie the Riveter and watch the award-winning virtual tour of, Drawn to Combat: Bill Mauldin and the Art of War! At 10:30 AM, make a medal for someone special in your life at our family workshop and at 2:30 PM meet U.S. Army Col. Timothy J. MacDonald for a briefing on the U.S. military strategy for rising concerns with Russia and China in Ukraine, the Indo-Pacific, and Africa.
A great line up for all ages to honor our fallen servicemen and women.
Member Event for State of the Museum
MEMBERS ONLY EVENT: As members of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, we want to keep you up-to-date on the happenings of the Museum & Library. This special member event (which can be attended in-person or via livestream) is for YOU to hear directly from our President, Dr. Krewasky A. Salter, on the future of the PMML as we move into our 20th year and beyond.
This event will take place from 12pm-1:30pm on May 15th, 2023. The presentation and lunch will be held in the 3rd Floor Gallery.
The U.S.-Saudi Relationship and Israel's Move to CENTCOM
Join the Pritzker Military Museum and Library (PMML) and The Jewish Institute for National Security of America (JINSA) for an evening reception and program featuring Vice Admiral Mark I. Fox, USN (ret.) discussing the benefits of Israel joining CENTCOM and his perspective on the U.S.-Saudi relationship from his participation in the JINSA fact finding trip to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Tet and the Battle of Hue: Exhibit Preview and Reflecting on the Vietnam War 55 Years Later
Join us on Monday, May 15th for an exclusive preview of our new temporary exhibit, Tet and the Battle of Hue displaying historic photographs captured by Stars and Stripes photographer John Olson and 3-D tactile models and audio describing the bloodiest battle of the Tet Offensive that changed the course of the Vietnam War.
The event begins at 6:00 pm with a panel discussion and Q&A featuring John Olson and Battle of Hue veterans, Myron Harrington and A.B. Grantham, moderated by Max Lederer of the Stars and Stripes. After the program, mingle through the exhibit with the panelists to learn more from their recollections of the Vietnam War 55 years later.