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Museum of Science and Industry to be named after state’s wealthiest resident

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The Museum of Science and Industry will rename itself after Chicago philanthropist Ken Griffin, who is making the largest donation in the institution’s history, the museum announced Thursday.

The sprawling science, tech and business museum on the city’s South Side will become the Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry after the museum’s board voted to accept Griffin’s $125 million donation and the name change Thursday morning.

It’s a major change in the Chicago cultural landscape, prompted by one of the largest cash donations ever to a local cultural institution. Ken Griffin, founder of the hedge fund Citadel, has been one of the most prominent and active donors to cultural and educational organizations through his Kenneth C. Griffin Charitable Fund, with giving that now totals over $1 billion. […]

The museum says the gift pushes its current capital campaign past the $300 million mark in funds raised. The money will mostly go into the museum’s endowment, which will more than double as a result, MSI board chair Chris Crane said. In coming years, the museum intends to work on creating new exhibitions, renovating museum galleries and modernizing its building, which has 14 acres of indoor space and is the last holdover from the 1893 World’s Fair.

Thoughts?

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:08 am

Comments

It will always be the Sears Tower of Industry to me

Comment by doofusguy Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:13 am
IMO Science and Industry and Natural History put a lot of the museums at the Smithsonian to shame.

As far as putting his name on it, money talks.

Comment by efudd Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:13 am
I guess Griffin didn’t get the Rauner memo on bailing on Illinois.

Or his own memo’s on how bad Illinois is either?

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:13 am
Big priority should be the outdoor space in Jackson Park behind it.

It is a sin that what could be a landmark open space for the city’s south side is mostly blocked by chain link fencing because they don’t want people there, and gone to weed because there is no maintenance or purpose for it on the Museum’s part.

Comment by Ok Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:13 am
Nobody’s ever going to call it that, except at the banquets in his honor. The donation is appreciated, but, isn’t the whole “naming” thing passé yet?

Comment by Whatchoo talkin' 'bout Willis Tower Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:14 am
Tacky

Comment by yeah Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:15 am
Penance for giving Illinois Bruce Rauner and the subsequent rejection of Raunerism and it’s damage.

The uber wealthy are obsessed with image. Ask Diana Rauner.

It’s vanity with a smidge of washing over the Raunerism he put forth on Illinois.

As for the cash, I’m happy.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:15 am
Hate it. I am fine with the Museum’s decision, but why does every rich person have to put their name on everything? If Mr. Griffin cares so much about the Museum, he would donate the money without this naming condition. Luckily, it will probably be as successful as “Willis Tower” or Guaranteed Rate Field.

Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:15 am
gross

Comment by brickle Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:17 am
What? The state’s richest resident, a right winger/neoliberal who gave millions to a governor who trashed the state and hate hustled Chicago for downstate votes, is investing in the terrible Chicago that is used as a punching bag for right wingers? How can that be?

For many, it will always be the Hancock building, Sears tower, etc., no matter the new names.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:19 am
Somebody is on a bit of a brand integrity kick. I believe they also named the dinosaur exhibits at Field after him?

Comment by Bertrum Cates Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:20 am
My mom taught me to call it the Rosenwald. Why should I change now?

Next, they’ll be asking me to call Northwestern’s Dyche Stadium by some other name. Or Comiskey Park.

Comment by Keyrock Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:21 am
Tailored suits, chauffeured cars, fine hotels, and big cigars…

Comment by efudd Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:22 am
I agree with 3D Checkers and love OW’s “Ask Diana”

Comment by Grits Carter Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:22 am
I think that Museum of Science and Industry is getting a $125 million is a good thing. I think it’s nice of Ken Griffin to make a giant contribution . He didn’t have to do it.

Comment by Steve Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:23 am
I can’t beat Bertrum’s comment so I won’t try.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:24 am
Glad he’s giving that money to cultural projects rather than political.

Comment by Squints Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:25 am
No different than universities naming buildings, stadiums, etc. for generous benefactors. May disagree with Mr. Griffin’s political stances, but….thank you.

Comment by Bogey Golfer Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:27 am
The Kenneth C. Griffin Museum of Science and Industry’s endowment will likely be managed by graduates of the Kenneth C. Griffin Economics Department at the University of Chicago.

The Kenneth C. Griffin Barack Obama Presidential Library will be a little odd though I have to admit.

Comment by JJJJJJJJJJJ Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:27 am
As long as this doesn’t involve Dan Proft it might be Griffin’s best use of money in a long time.

Comment by Concerned Dem Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:27 am
The reality of our New Gilded Age. The last one ended on October 24, 1929.

“Income inequality in the U.S. increased in 2018 to its highest level in the last 50 years of tracking the statistic, per an AP report on Census Bureau data.” (Axios, Sept. 25, 2019)

Comment by Moe Berg Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:27 am
“The Derek Zoolander School For Kids Who Can’t Read Good And Want To Do Other To Do Other Stuff Good” is giving pointers on how to be successful with a goofy name.

Comment by Les Nesman Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:30 am
(Sigh) It seems to me that if Griffin had decided to hoard all his money, people would be complaining that he’s cheap, greedy, etc. I, for one, am glad he decided to part ways with a multi-million dollar sum of money for a good cause, regardless of his motive or what he received in return. But, that’s just me.

Comment by Yiddishcowboy Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:32 am
Who cares. It’s not a big deviation from the current name — and it will still just be the Museum of Science and Industry in everyday use.

Comment by Just Observing Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:34 am
Love the MSI. Hate the name change.

But then again, I still call other landmarks Sears Tower, Marshall Fields, and Comiskey Park.

Comment by ChrisB Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:37 am
If she hadn’t signed the prenup she wouldve gotten half

Anne Dias Museum of Science
Ken Griffin Museum of Industry

Comment by tildef Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:37 am
Ugh….I really like that museum. I used to live 400 yards from it. I took the girls over there all the time.

It seems strangely soiled now.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:38 am
The Griffin

Comment by City Zen Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:38 am
Just for spite, maybe JB can give $250 million and change the name back to The Museum of Science and Industry.

Comment by don the legend Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:39 am
Chicago Museums off Lake Michigan;

Ken Griffin - 1
George Lucas - 0

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:39 am
Will he gild the submarine like the gold repo Winged Victory in the Citadel Building? Will he put his name in big letters on the facade like the T—- Tower?

Comment by d. p. gumby Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:40 am
Good for Mr. Griffin. He should be congratulated for his generosity. No one forced him to do it. He could have donated that money anywhere else on this planet. I’m willing to bet that if he had changed his last name and then made the donation the first 18 snide comments to this post would have a change of attitude.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:44 am
==Gross==
==Tacky==

We definitely don’t want rich people’s names on our museums. As we all know, the Field Museum is named for the fields that surround Chicago, the Shedd aquarium is named for the Native American shedd that used to occupy that space, the Adler is named for the addled astronomers who struggled to see the stars through Chicago’s light pollution, and Wrigley is named for all the gum on the sidewalk.

Rich people put their name on stuff, it’s nothing new, we’re just used to those other names. And if naming something after yourself means we have better public spaces and institutions as a result, I’m fine with it. The only thing that rings tacky here is that it’s the “Kenneth” Griffin museum. Though eventually, people will just call it “the Griffin Museum.”

Comment by Senator Clay Davis Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:47 am
I don’t have a problem with this. He’s donating money and it’s to a pretty good cause. Nobody’s ever going to call it the full name anyway…Sears Tower, New Comiskey, Museum of Science and Industry.

Comment by Scott Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:48 am
===I’m willing to bet that if he had changed his last name and then made the donation the first 18 snide comments to this post would have a change of attitude.===

That’s the whole point by adding his own name to it, having his own name on the building.

“Griffin could’ve easily donated this anywhere. Anonymously.”

Good for you - Louis G Atsaves -, sticking up for the 0.0001% and their vanity. They are so misunderstood.

“Keeping and supporting a brand is most critical. If it does good, that’s nice too”

- Diana Rauner, maybe

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:48 am
I’m annoyed by the pervasive naming of institutions (public and “public oriented” ones) but I sure hope the people teeing off on Griffin have grumbled about the Luries, Pritzkers and Ryans sticking their name on everything (even at the cost of memorials or tributes to employees).

Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:58 am
Perhaps JB and Lori could whistle Griff in an suggest a naming rights deal for the pension debt? Now there is a solution that is constitutional

Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 10:58 am
@Oswego Willie, your point comes up short and clearly you are blinded by all things Rauner by your response. No one forced Griffin to make this donation. Fortunately for the general public, you are not on the Board of Directors of the Museum of Science and Industry.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:00 am
===Luries, Pritzkers and Ryans===

When they spend tens of millions of dollars to hold Illinois hostage, destroying social service in that too, I’ll call them out on it.

That fair enough for ya?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:01 am
Oh - Louie -

Tsk, tsk.

Defending the 0.0001% as you made out on helping them.

No shock you’re defending them.

===No one forced Griffin to make this donation. Fortunately for the general public, you are not on the Board of Directors of the Museum of Science and Industry.===

Reading is fundamental, “Counselor”

===As for the cash, I’m happy.===

Pleased as punch. Personal guilt of hurting so many people is expensive, LOL

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:04 am
@Oswego Willie, thanks for making my point. Use your blind hatred a little more constructively and demand the museum reject this generosity.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:05 am
No problem with this. We will still call it the MSI. For only a million donation to me I will rename my home in his honor.

Comment by illinifan Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:06 am
Oh - Louie -

Rauner tried to get others to defend his indefensible ways.

You don’t owe him anything anymore.

===As for the cash, I’m happy.===

Pound, pound, pound that table, lol

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:07 am
== No different than universities naming buildings, stadiums, etc. for generous benefactors. ==
True.

If Mr. Griffin wants to donate his money to MSI and have his name on the building, which he clearly does; and if MSI is okay with it, which they clearly are; then I don’t see an issue.

I disagree with him on a lot of issues, but this isn’t one of them.

Comment by thunderspirit Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:07 am
Too bad Mr. Dyche and the children weren’t fortunate enough to have a -political- billionaire erase their legacy - more people might have spoke up for them.

Comment by lake county democrat Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:12 am
Say what you will about the man, but he did just give a museum a $125 million donation, at a time when museums are struggling. Kudos.

Comment by Well... Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:14 am
==I’m willing to bet that if he had changed his last name and then made the donation the first 18 snide comments to this post would have a change of attitude.==

Always the victim aren’t you?

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:21 am
My answer I guess depends on why the name change is being made. Did he ask for it as part of the donation or are they doing it as a thank you? I’m guessing it’s the latter. If that’s the case I don’t have a problem with it.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:22 am
This money is going to the endowment, can anyone find what that endowment currently holds? I didnt have any luck and dont have time to dig further.

Comment by Excitable Boy Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:22 am
Well at least most of you are consistent.

Institutions in dire need of funds should reject the Foxconn and Griffith money because they are from the “wrong people”

The only donations allowed are from hypocritical Democrat billionaires who stash their money off shore so they can avoid paying their fair share

Comment by Lucky Pierre Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:23 am
Tacky, like the Field Museum? Adler? Shedd?

Comment by Rudiforte Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:32 am
I thought it was a headline from The Onion.

Comment by anonomoose Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:33 am
Lori needs to get with the program and start selling naming rights to city assets. Of course we all know who will buy the rights to city toilets.

Comment by Angry Republican Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:33 am
Look, it’s all nice and dandy that he made the donation. I like the MSI. I like that this money will allow the MSI to continue to be a strong Chicago institution.

I don’t like the naming. Not because of the specific person. It is part of a charity mindset where a small group of people control the wealth and decide when and where they share some small part of it with others, provided they get bold recognition. I know not every person of means does it this way, but enough do that it drives me nuts. We need a society based on ensuring justice, not charity. As long as we hold up gifts given like this as something to be applauded, nothing is going to change.

Comment by Montrose Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:36 am
in the grand scheme of cultural attraction philanthropy, $125 million is not much to rename a world-class venue. griffin got a deal on this/MSI kind of got played. figure should be at least three times as much. relatedly, state and federal governments should keep up their investments in these institutions.

Comment by Go Sox! Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:38 am
The lemming type irony of this priceless.

A man who paid millions to help destroy Illinois donates $125 million to get his name on a building and magically it helps his image.

The reason you give $125 million is so folks talk nice about you too. That’s the point. Otherwise you’d donate anonymously.

This is like a social experiment happening right now.

I can be terribly grateful for such a generous donation and have no problem with it from Griffin… and… also remember the terrible destruction his money also caused the state.

If branding didn’t matter, than Diana Rauner wouldn’t have been so concerned how she and Bruce were seen destroying the state. The concern was never about the state, but it was about the branding. Emails tell me so.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:40 am
No good deed goes unpunished

Comment by Donnie Elgin Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:46 am
- the Field Museum is named for the fields that surround Chicago, the Shedd aquarium is named for the Native American shedd that used to occupy that space, the Adler -

I don’t really have a problem with the name change, but Field, Shedd, and Adler founded and built those institutions. And I believe Field was renamed after his death.

Comment by Excitable Boy Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 11:47 am
I wish he could donate some money to the White Sox so that the former Comiskey Park wouldn’t be called Guaranteed Rate Field…

Comment by Levois J Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 12:04 pm
It will always be MSI to me. Heck, I still call local landmarks and streets by their original name.

The donation was nice; rich people do that. Just like everyone else, some want to be recognized and some don’t really care. The Tribune story implied it was a condition of the donation but didn’t come right out and say so.

Comment by RNUG Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 12:09 pm
May it morph into the ‘Kenny G Museum of Science and Industry’.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 12:10 pm
Thank you for the money. Love the museum.

Could we call it the Gryffindor Museum of Magic, Science, and Industry? We might get more visitors.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 12:12 pm
Charitable giving = good
Anonymous charitable giving = better

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 12:19 pm
I believe Griffin donated like $10 million to split the lakefront bike trails from the runners. That is a huge project for those that use the trails. I don’t think he asked to name them. I don’t care if the guy is trying to rebrand himself from his Rauner debacle by dumping money into our city or state. Anyone that is having a problem with the rich donating their money for the good of the citizenry should pony up their own money. Oh, and if this bothers you then maybe call the governor and ask his family to take their names off of all the buildings named after them.

Comment by Nagidam Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 12:24 pm
The man who gave the money that created the MSI didn’t feel the need to have his name on it. What was good enough for Julius Rosenwald should be good enough for Ken Griffin.

Comment by JoanP Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 12:31 pm
===Well at least most of you are consistent.

Institutions in dire need of funds should reject the Foxconn and Griffith money because they are from the “wrong people”===

Considering I don’t feel the same it’s your usual drivel that is both victimhood and lacking.

===I can be terribly grateful for such a generous donation and have no problem with it from Griffin===

Folks like - Lucky Pierre - have reading comprehension problems so I tried to be even more clearer.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 12:32 pm
Why does every thread end up being about Oswego Willy?

Comment by Three Brothers Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 12:38 pm
===What was good enough for Julius Rosenwald should be good enough for Ken Griffin.===

Well then stop calling that big building in Chicago the “Sears Tower” for nostalgia reasons. They certainly were not going to call it the Sear, Roebuck & Rosenwald Tower.

Comment by Nagidam Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 12:40 pm
What percentage of Griffin’s annual interest/dividends did this $125 mil represent?

Think about it this way… if another person had donated a larger percentage of their annual income to the MSI for the endowment, but they only made 6 figures a year, would the MSI put their name up in “lights”??? Just because you are uber rich doesn’t mean you have any more right to (re)naming a institution after yourself or agreeing to that as a “thank you” for a perpetual “honor”. Be gracious and humble for once (banned punctuation).

Comment by Anon221 Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 12:42 pm
He shouldn’t have put his name on the whole museum for $125 million. His name on the submarine would have been sufficient.

Comment by A Jack Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 12:52 pm
Hall of waxed billionaires figures?

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 12:59 pm
Most commentators are correct that no one will ever use the name. I still call them Dyche Stadium and Comiskey Park. I have made an exception for whoever Willis Tower is named after. Sears made its bed when they left the City for Hoffman Estates(!), so I no longer give them credit for the building.

Comment by Paddyrollingstone Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 1:01 pm
For those asking about MSI’s endowment, in 2016/2015 it had a combined endowment (unrestricted/temp restricted/restricted endowment funds) of ~$74 million. (source: https://www.msichicago.org/fileadmin/assets/about_us/general/MSI_2016_AuditedFinancialStatements.pdf).

According to its 2017 Form 990, MSI operated at a net loss of >$10 million (source: https://990s.foundationcenter.org/990_pdf_archive/362/362167797/362167797_201712_990.pdf).

Comment by AccountMan Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 1:08 pm
So I guess we should rename all those Carnegie libraries if we don’t want robber barons to get any credit for the good they sometimes do.

Comment by Cheryl44 Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 1:08 pm
OW

Don’t you think you are being a little hard on Griffin here ? I don’t see him all over the media giving interviews about how great he his. Do you really think he cares much about his image? The donation was a great thing and a tax write off for him. All Illinois residents should be happy he isn’t walking into the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles and asking for a drivers license. We don’t need him going Carl Icahn on us.

https://nypost.com/2019/09/12/carl-icahn-moving-hedge-fund-to-miami-whether-his-workers-like-it-or-not/

Comment by Steve Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 1:12 pm
=What percentage of Griffin’s annual interest/dividends did this $125 mil represent?=

Who cares. The guy did a good thing by stepping up and writing a big check. It’s good for the museum, our city and state. I can appreciate it for what it is and still disagree with his politics.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 1:15 pm
==The only donations allowed are from hypocritical Democrat billionaires==

Well, now that’s two victms heard from on this subject.

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 1:17 pm
He bought a museum, just like the Lurie’s bought Children’s Hospital. The rich make monuments to themselves. No surprise in name changes. Anonymity doesn’t get or keep your name and wealth in the Social Register.

Comment by revvedup Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 1:17 pm
===Don’t you think you are being a little hard on Griffin here ?===

No.

=== I don’t see him all over the media giving interviews about how great he his.===

Neither did Diana Rauner. Their money does all the talking. You drop $125 million, others say how “great” you are.

===Do you really think he cares much about his image?===

Folks don’t spend $125 million and put their name on arguably one of the finest museums of its kind in the world to be modest.

If anything Rauner and Raunerism did was it soiled Bruce and Diana Rauner’s name, and Griffin was, at certain times, dragged in too. The Winnetka Cocktail party cicuit keeps score.

===All Illinois residents should be happy he isn’t walking into the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles and asking for a drivers license.===

Ask him why he isn’t?

Ask yourself… what type of society do we need to be, one that direct worry to anger really rich folks in hopes they’ll put their names on things, or one that holds accountable uber-wealthy folks and they worry about their image so they donate to accepted in society?

This idea that if you give enough money you can inflict more damage is lunacy Raunerism peddled. ‘Nember?

“I donated millions” - Bruce Rauner

Force closures?

“It’s a business decision” - Diana Rauner

Nope.

I can be terribly grateful for such a generous donation and have no problem with it from Griffin… and… also remember the terrible destruction his money also caused the state.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 1:24 pm
Even if he pays off the loan for the sketchy hat, I draw the line at renaming the ALPM after him.

Comment by Earnest Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 1:49 pm
OW

Wouldn’t Griffin be labeled as one of the Illinois’ biggest taxpayers in terms of total tax dollars paid to the state of Illinois?

Comment by Steve Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 1:50 pm
==The only donations allowed are from hypocritical Democrat billionaires==

The hypocrisy is the trashing of the city and state (or donating money to those who trash) but living and getting rich in the very places that are being trashed. Trump has his name on one of our most prominent buildings. Why, if it’s so terrible here?

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 1:51 pm
===Wouldn’t Griffin be labeled as one of the Illinois’ biggest taxpayers in terms of total tax dollars paid to the state of Illinois?===

No.

As Illinois’ Wealthiest Person he should be the biggest.

What does that have to do with… anything?

Don’t you have an afternoon lecture or lab?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 1:54 pm
=Do you really think he cares much about his image?=

Absolutely. 110%. This is all about the family name and leaving a legacy. It’s how he wants to be remembered. I’m ok with that. And I can also weigh this in the context of his politics seeing both the good and the bad in who he is.

And OW is right. As Bruce Rauner was destroying our state he and Diana were also trying to remind us of the many good things they had done. The good doesn’t outweigh the bad. They can and often do coexist.

Comment by Pundent Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 1:56 pm
Once the Museum of Science and Industry, always the Museum of Science and Industry. After all, it’s still Comiskey Park, right?

Comment by Flapdoodle Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 1:58 pm
Though eventually, people will just call it “the Griffin Museum.”

Not in our lifetimes, they won’t.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 2:07 pm
Shedd Aquarium
Adler Planetarium
Field Museum
Buckingham Fountain.

I have no problem with adding Griffin’s name to the Museum of Science and Industry.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 2:51 pm
Oligarchy wins again.

Comment by Stark Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 2:55 pm
In other news, former Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn and Super 8 have teamed up to purchase naming rights for the Newseum.
The discount duo donated a combined $47.38 for the ability to rename it the Pat Quinn-Super 8 Newseum.
The name change will occur after the Newsuem closes its swanky Pennsylvania Ave location and reopens as the Pat Quinn-Super 8 Newseum in a Baltimore, MD trailer park.
The newly opened facility is expected to showcase the former governor’s 2010 State of the State speech on a continuous loop.

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 3:32 pm
It is good news that Mr. Griffin is showing his support for Illinois by this generous donation to the Museum of Science and Industry.

Comment by Enviro Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 3:41 pm
I swear Oswego Willy is trying to get this blog renamed after himself. Good grief, go outside for a bit before the snow flies.

Comment by Shemp Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 3:52 pm
Shemp, I wonder if we can get 2/3 to vote him off and Rich to sign it?

Comment by Dybalaton Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 4:00 pm
==So I guess we should rename all those Carnegie libraries if we don’t want robber barons to get any credit for the good they sometimes do.==

Some towns refused the libraries. When Wheeling, W.Va., voters balked at accepting a Carnegie grant, Wiegand wrote, a union leader exulted that, “There will be one place on this great green earth where Andrew Carnegie can’t get a monument with his money.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/retropolis/wp/2018/04/09/andrew-carnegie-built-1700-public-libraries-but-some-towns-refused-the-steel-barons-money/

Comment by Rich Hill Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 4:28 pm
OW

I don’t have the appropriate victim group credentials in the oppression olympics for today’s higher education industry.

Comment by Steve Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 5:04 pm
- Steve -

I’m outside right now, before the snow flies.

:)

Good luck.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 5:10 pm
OW

I’m not the one who brought up snow flying. I think you are confusing me with Mr. Shemp.

Comment by Steve Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 5:25 pm
- Steve -

I know.

“Let It Go”

- Elsa, probably.

Be well.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 5:29 pm
Julius Rosenwald refused to let them name the museum after him. They tried and he threatened to walk away if they persisted.
That’s class, imo.

Comment by northsider (the original) Thursday, Oct 3, 19 @ 6:17 pm
There’s a difference between naming a museum or other cultural institution after its founder (such as the Field, Shedd, Adler), and naming it after some rich guy who gives money decades later.

What will the MSI do in 20 years when someone gives them $200,000,000? Re-name the place?

Comment by JoanP Friday, Oct 4, 19 @ 2:07 am