Chicago Stories
Chicago Stories: Fall 2026 – Trailer
Preview: Season 6 | 1m 27s
New season includes: The World’s Fair of 1893, Toy Town, Skyscrapers, and Home of the Irish.
Four new documentaries that reveal the people, ideas, ingenuity, conflicts, and communities that helped shape Chicago. The new season journeys back to The World’s Fair of 1893, recalls the era when Chicago became a groundbreaking Toy Town, explores the ambition and innovation behind its world-famous Skyscrapers, and traces how generations of immigrants made Chicago the Home of the Irish.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Chicago Stories is a local public television program presented by WTTW
Lead support for CHICAGO STORIES is provided by The Negaunee Foundation. Major support is provided by the Abra Prentice Foundation, Inc. and the TAWANI Foundation.
Chicago Stories
Chicago Stories: Fall 2026 – Trailer
Preview: Season 6 | 1m 27s
Four new documentaries that reveal the people, ideas, ingenuity, conflicts, and communities that helped shape Chicago. The new season journeys back to The World’s Fair of 1893, recalls the era when Chicago became a groundbreaking Toy Town, explores the ambition and innovation behind its world-famous Skyscrapers, and traces how generations of immigrants made Chicago the Home of the Irish.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Where to Watch Chicago Stories
Chicago Stories is available to stream on pbs.org and the PBS app.
Chicago Stories - New Season!
Season 6 includes: The World’s Fair of 1893, Toy Town, Skyscrapers, and Home of the Irish.Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Now PlayingChicago Stories: Fall 2026 – Trailer
New season includes: The World’s Fair of 1893, Toy Town, Skyscrapers, and Home of the Irish. (1m 27s)
NewThe Wrigley Building and Tribune Tower
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Across Michigan Avenue from one another are two Chicago icons. (4m 50s)
NewThe Rocky Rise of Hancock Tower
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The John Hancock Center was one of the city’s most improbable success stories. (6m 36s)
NewJohn Moutoussamy and the Johnson Publishing Building
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The Johnson Publishing building was the first high-rise in Chicago designed by a Black architect. (3m 4s)
NewJeanne Gang’s Mark on the Chicago Skyline
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Architect Jeanne Gang has added two distinctive buildings to the Chicago skyline. (5m 58s)
NewThe Daring Feat of the Auditorium Building
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When the Auditorium Building opened in 1889, it was the tallest building in Chicago. (5m 2s)
New10 Unsung Heroes of the Chicago Skyline
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Explore 10 skyscrapers that deserve more attention, from Art Deco gems to modern towers. (5m 37s)
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We asked kids to review three vintage toys created in Chicago. (5m 13s)
How Marvin Glass Shaped the Toy Industry
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Marvin Glass invented iconic toys – and a new way to get them made. (7m 6s)
Building Magic with Tinkertoys and Lincoln Logs
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Chicagoans created some of the most popular construction toys of all time. (6m 27s)
Beanie Baby Mania Began in Chicago
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No toy inspired the level of obsession quite like Beanie Babies. (7m 45s)
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H.H. Holmes moves to Chicago, and a young woman later goes missing. (5m 23s)
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What was it like to visit the White City? Journey back as we imagine the World’s Fair. (5m 17s)
The Spectacle of the Midway Plaisance
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The Midway Plaisance offered a different kind of energy at the World’s Fair. (7m 46s)
Frederick Douglass and Ida B. Wells Protest the Fair
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Douglass and Wells object to the exclusion of African Americans from the World’s Fair. (3m 3s)
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Burnham, Root, and Olmsted set out to design the White City. (7m 19s)
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship
Support for PBS provided by:
Chicago Stories is a local public television program presented by WTTW
Lead support for CHICAGO STORIES is provided by The Negaunee Foundation. Major support is provided by the Abra Prentice Foundation, Inc. and the TAWANI Foundation.