Shedd Aquarium turns 95, shares rare glimpses into its archival opening photos

Shedd Aquarium is diving into its 95th anniversary with a look back through time, unveiling rarely seen archival photos that showcase the landmark’s first opening.

Opened on May 30, 1930, Shedd was the vision of department store magnate John G. Shedd, who aimed to give Chicago an aquarium that would rival those in other major cities. With an initial gift of $2 million, Shedd established the Shedd Aquarium Society in 1924 to build and operate a museum of aquatic life “to construct, maintain and operate an aquarium or museum of aquatic life exclusively for educational and scientific purposes,” according to Shedd Aquarium’s website.

“For 95 years, Shedd Aquarium has been bringing people beneath the water’s surface to spark compassion, curiosity and conservation for the aquatic world," said Johnny Ford, senior director of public relations in an email. "Since we opened in 1930, millions of people have made personal connections with nature and taken meaningful actions to protect it. As we reflect on our legacy, we are excitedly preparing for Shedd’s future, by renovating our historic home, investing in Chicago and reinvigorating our mission through our Centennial Commitment.”

Shedd never lived to see the aquarium completed. He died in 1926, four years before opening day. The board of directors carried his vision forward, breaking ground in November 1927. The John G. Shedd Aquarium officially opened on May 30, 1930, to a crowd of eager visitors.

To commemorate the anniversary, Shedd shared archival images from its early days, including photos of the facade under construction in 1929, the first preview exhibit in December of that year, and the Nautilus railroad cars that delivered seawater from Key West, 160 carloads in total, totaling 1 million gallons.

Designed by the prestigious Chicago architecture firm Graham, Anderson, Probst & White, Shedd is a striking example of Beaux-Arts architecture. Dubbed “Neptune’s Temple,” the white marble building is rich in aquatic symbolism, from marine fossils embedded in the limestone floor to Neptune’s trident crowning the glass dome. According to Shedd's website, its unique octagonal floor plan, rather than the traditional circle-in-a-cross used in Greek and Roman temples, was a practical innovation by aquarium director Walter Chute, who collaborated closely with the architects to include space for animal care and reserve rooms.

Since its opening, Shedd has grown while preserving its historic core. The Abbott Oceanarium, completed in 1991, extended the aquarium westward using the same white Georgia marble as the original structure. Wild Reef, which opened in 2003 beneath the south terrace, expanded Shedd’s footprint below street level to accommodate habitats for sharks, rays, and other marine life. Together, the two additions nearly doubled the size of the aquarium, says the Shedd website.

Currently, Shedd Aquarium is going through a restoration in preparation for its 100th anniversary in 2030. Learn more about Shedd’s Centennial Commitment here.