A Chicago Symphony Orchestra quartet will be at PMML on Friday, July 17 for a performance celebrating American composers. The concert starts at 2:00 PM CT and is included with admission.  

Daily admission grants you entry into the exhibit area.

Current Exhibits Include:

Among His Troops: George Washington and the Citizen-Soldier Tradition (on display from June 12, 2026 - January 2, 2027): At the end of the Revolutionary War in 1783, George Washington handed his military power back to the American people. Washington had demonstrated his commitment to the cause of the United States for his fellow officers and soldiers throughout the war. With independence won, Washington led by example and used his power to be a good citizen, leaving the leadership of the new nation to the elected Congress. Among His Troops, a limited-run special exhibition developed by the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, shares General Washington’s inspiring story of leadership for the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The Museum of the American Revolution is the home of Washington’s headquarters tent from the Revolutionary War, an enduring symbol of his role as an American citizen-soldier. Among His Troops offers a rare opportunity to view artifacts related to the general’s tent, learn more about the Continental Army, and reflect upon Washington as he was referenced in his eulogy, “First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of his Countrymen.” 

Landscapes of the Revolution: Kay Smith's American Legacy Collection (on display from June 12, 2026 - January 2, 2027): Landscapes of the Revolution: Kay Smith’s American Legacy Collection features original artwork by Illinois Artist Laureate Kay Smith. Known for her exceptional watercolor landscapes, Smith dedicated much of her life to depicting the structures and settings associated with the American Revolution. 

The exhibition includes depictions of important battle sites such as Fort Ticonderoga, Fort Moultrie, and Yorktown, as well as historic buildings like Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed; Old North Church, where lanterns were hung to signal the route of approaching British troops; and Fraunces Tavern, where George Washington bid an emotional farewell to his fellow officers at the end of the war.

Cold Steel: The Evolution of the Bayonet: Step into history and experience the power of a single piece of steel that shaped America’s battles and the spirit of its soldiers. This immersive exhibition follows the bayonet’s remarkable journey from the American Revolution to the 1990s, featuring 16 rarely seen artifacts from the PMML Collection. From the icy night of Washington’s crossing of the Delaware, to the mud-soaked trenches of World War I, to the dense, unforgiving jungles of Vietnam, the bayonet has remained a steadfast symbol of the courage, grit, and duty of the Citizen Soldier. Get closer than ever to these priceless pieces, displayed as they were meant to be seen. Uncover the personal stories of the men who carried them into history.  

Medal of Honor Display (our permanent Medal of Honor Gallery is currently undergoing renovation): Featured prominently in the Museum & Library's display dedicated to the Medal of Honor, this Hershel "Woody" Williams collection includes a citation and authentic Navy Medal of Honor issued to former Marine Woody Williams, a veteran of the iconic Battle of Iwo Jima.

Hershel “Woody” Williams was born in 1923 and raised in West Virginia. After initially being rejected by the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943 for being too short, he was able to join the Marine Corps Reserve a few months later when the height requirement was reduced. On October 30, 1943, he joined the 32nd Replacement Battlion, which was sent to fight in the Pacific Theater of World War II. Williams fought in the Battle of Guadalcanal and in Guam before landing on Iwo Jima on February 21, 1945.