The best thing about being a publisher for a publication like Macaroni KID Chicago is the ability to focus on our community with a hyper-local lens. To explore and share the local people who have used their passions to create something special for us, the people who live here and raise our kids here. Every now and then I get to discover something completely new to me and, possibly even completely new to you, and I have recently discovered such a gem and CAN NOT wait to share it with you.
Chicago is proud to be home to so much, and often you feel like everything you could want is at your fingertips, but the one thing that this city has never had is a classic automobile museum. Or so I thought until I discovered a true gem along Knox Road, just between Diversey and Belmont. Now that I have been inside I am baffled at how I missed Klairmont Kollections, with over 300 vehicles, plus a collection of bicycles, Vespas, a model train, and an event space featuring two beautiful bars created from Chris Craft boats - all nestled safely into a 100,000 sq building.
When you pull up to the entrance of Klairmont Kollections, it's very unassuming. I promise that what you will discover once you walk past the front desk and into the first collection room will surprise you. We were lucky enough to have Ana, Events Director from Klairmont Kollections accompany us as we explored the collection room by room, but the level of detail they have displayed along with the cars is impressive and was in fact one of the things my ten year old appreciated most. This allowed him to move around the space at a pace that suited him while his younger sister tried to count the Swarovski crystals on a particular Rolls Royce she fell in love with that day.
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To visit Klairmont Kollections is not just "visiting a car museum", it is seeing innovation, art, history and current events rolled out in a timeline that you can explore with most of your senses. Here you will see one of the earliest electric cars built in the early 1900's alongside a modern Tesla Roadster, prototype vehicles that seem less and less far fetched these days, celebrity cars, and the all favorite "Batmobile" cars that make everyone smile when they see them.
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Another area that was great to visit, is the space that is dedicated to the museum's founder, Larry Klairmont. Without him and his passion for the American dream, the city of Chicago, and classic automobiles this non-profit museum never would have come to be. Mr. Klairmont grew up in poverty but was by all accounts not afraid of the hard work needed to succeed. At the age of 16, he enlisted as a Marine and fought in WWII, there are nods to his military days peppered throughout the collection, and came home a decorated war hero. Before his passing at the age of 97 in 2021, Klairmont had created a family, successful businesses, and a beautiful collection of cars that he wanted to share with Chicago.
If you enjoy automobiles, art, history, exploring Chicago, and have kids who are infatuated with cars, planes, trains, and any sort of vehicle - then be sure to plan a visit to see the Klairmont Kollection in person. I promise that photos do not prepare you for all that you will get to explore once you enter their doors!
Before you go, here are a few things you should know:
- The "Kollection" is open Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Tickets are available upon arrival, or in advance online via Eventbrite
- There is free parking on site (I admit, the parking lot made me excited)
- The "Kollection" is spread out over 100,000 sq feet on two levels and is set up to guide you chronologically through time. Wear comfy shoes!
- Klairmont Kollection also has space for private events and is sure to provide a memorable setting for anything from corporate events to birthdays, bat/bar mitzvahs, dances, and more!
- Field Trips are welcomed and encouraged, as are homeschool families - there is much to learn here.
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You can visit the Klairmont Kollection online as well as on Instagram
To visit in person, you can find them at 3117 N Knox Ave, Chicago, IL 60641
and open Thursday-Sunday, 10a - 4p
