Chicago's architecture has been called the most important in the United States by the American Institute of Architects, and perhaps no other type of architecture has had as significant of an impact on the city's look, feel and character as classical architecture. Chicago's connection to classical architecture dates back to the famed 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, with it's gleaming "White City" of Beaux-Arts buildings. After the fair, the "Plan of Chicago", developed by Daniel Burnham, the fair's lead architect, paved the way for further spread of classical building not only in Chicago, but throughout the country.

In the 21st century, Chicago still retains its classical look, much of which is either directly or indirectly linked to Burnham and the 1893 fair. Burnham's renowned plan influenced what Chicagoans now see in Grant Park, for example, as well as in other structures, homes, government and office buildings, monuments, hotels, schools, and museums - all inspired by Greek and Roman architecture. For the first time, these structures - spanning well over 100 years of building - are shown here in one collection.