![]() ![]() It was unique for an inland aquarium in having permanent exhibits of both saltwater and freshwater fish. Shedd Aquarium was the world's largest aquarium when it officially opened on May 30, 1930. It took another few months to ship one million gallons of seawater by rail from Key West, Florida. The public was allowed in beginning in December 1929-a welcome distraction from the first bitter winter of the Great Depression. Shedd passed away before the aquarium that bears his name was finished. A swamp exhibit was housed inside its 70-foot-tall rotunda. The aquarium cost $3.25 million to build and was housed in a 300-foot-diameter octagonal building made of white Georgian marble. For example, new water filtration systems and ample viewing and working areas were included.Ĭonstruction began on November 2, 1927. The architects Graham, Anderson, Probst & White were hired to design the aquarium. The Shedd Aquarium Society was formed in 1924 and soon secured a location on a vacant lot on 12th Street (later called Roosevelt Road). Shedd intended to give Chicago one thing it lacked among the world's great cities nothing less than the best would do. He succeeded the retailer's founder as company president in 1906 and was named chairman of the board in 1923. A native of New Hampshire, he moved to Chicago in 1872 and worked his way up the ranks at Marshall Field & Company. The institution is involved in considerable marine research and conservation activities.Ĭhicago business leader John Graves Shedd sponsored the formation of the aquarium with a $2 million gift (later raised to $3 million) in 1924. Facilities include a 3,000-square-foot animal hospital. More than 21,000 animals live at Shedd Aquarium. Shedd is located on Lake Shore Drive's "Museum Campus" next to the Field Museum and Adler Planetarium. Shedd Aquarium, promoted as "The World's Aquarium." With more than two million visitors a year, Shedd is one of Chicago's top attractions as well as the most-visited aquarium in the United States. ![]() Shedd Aquarium Society manages the John G.
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