The Burnham Library (Rookery Top Floor)

Touring the Rookery (see explanations in previous shots using links below, if interested), is getting to see the Burnham Library, which is where Daniel Burnham and his partner, John Wellborn Root, collaborated to create not only the Chicago Exposition of 1893 but lay out the plans for the city. Chicago has about 33 miles of lakefront that is for the public -- no private buildings, condos, businesses, etc. can occupy that prime land. Only parks, museums, and other public sites. There's a wonderful walking path and bike path that go the full length. It's one of the main reasons our city is so beautiful. So, this room is quite a special place. It's been restored -- the plans you see in the architectural cases are not the originals.
For those who are interested in visiting this building on your next trip to Chicago -- without a tour, you only have access to the first floor lobby. With the tour, you get to go onto the second floor balcony, up the first flight of the spiral staircase, and then the special elevator to the library. Well worth it! Tours are run by the Chicago Architectural Foundation.
Other photos:
http://365project.org/taffy/365/2014-03-28
http://365project.org/taffy/365/2014-03-27

[Kerri]

What a cool room

[Ann H. LeFevre]

It looks beautiful! I think I could read in there for hours. Great shot!

[MaryBeth Dailey]

Lustrous wood! Lovely! And I like how the person is motion blurred. This is wonderful. I am SO glad I took the time to read your explanation! I fell in love with the history of this World's Fair. It happened because I read one of the best historical fiction books ever! It was called Devil In the White City. I might have talked to you about it before... Anyway, this was SO NEAT to see where those men sat to plan the fair!

[Clare]

Beautiful room! So much history attached to this place. Wonderful shot.

[Gena Pegg]

Wow. Rich warm colors. Great composition Taffy. The lighting is amazing!

[Khawbecker]

Fantastic. Thrilling history in this room. Love your write up. Beautiful photo.

[bkb in the city]

What a beautiful library

[Beryl Lloyd]

Love the richness of the wood in this room , the great light and cosiness !

[Sophia Ziburtovicz]

Ditto beautiful library well captured.

[Tracy]

Such warmth! lovely shot!

[Richard Hickey]

Stunning color and perspective.

[Ross Walker]

Very dignified and old-world looking.

[Elaine]

Lovely room with an antique feel. I like the sound of that tour and you have managed to get some fabulous photographs from it.

[Carolyn]

Warm, rosy feel. A nice shot.

[Sue Wilde]

Wonderful warm tones

[8yearson]

What a wonderful room, you have captured all that beautiful wood perfectly.

[Sally Ings]

A wonderful looking room. Should I ever be fortunate enough to be in Chicago, a visit here would be on the cards!

[Dione Giorgio]

Beautiful capture, Taffy. Thank you for the story - very interesting.

[virtualbrownie]

What an elegant place to work - it looks such an interesting building

[Taffy]

@espyetta Thanks MaryBeth! I think one of the reasons I'm so taken with this building, beyond its obvious beauty, is that I loved Devil in the White City too, and learning about our city from that book and the history it prompted me to read. To be in the same room where it was planned, and where the plans for the city took place was just indescribable. I fell so lucky to live here and it felt like standing at the starting point of modern Chicago.