Visit the World’s First
Fair Trade Museum in Chicago!
4704 N Broadway in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood
Open Wednesdays through Saturdays, 12-5 pm
Visit the Chicago Fair Trade Museum and learn the fascinating stories behind the products we use every day
The Chicago Fair Trade Museum is the world’s first museum dedicated to fair trade, at 4704 N. Broadway in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood. The museum is free to enter and offers an immersive experience that reveals the human and environmental realities behind everyday products — from your morning coffee to the clothes in your closet.
Our exhibits trace global supply chains, spotlighting issues like exploitative labor practices, fast fashion’s environmental toll, and the social and ecological costs of producing items we consume every day. Visitors can learn about Chicago’s historic role in the labor rights movement while discovering how modern-day fair trade models prioritize fair wages, democratic workplaces, and sustainable production methods. We also offer an accessibly priced rotating series of events, including fair trade food tastings, mending circles, workshops, documentary screenings, and more.
A curated fair trade gift shop offers ethically made items from local and international makers – Chicago Reader named it the “best place to buy cool guilt-free gifts” in 2025. Our mission is to inspire visitors to use their purchasing power and daily habits to support more just, sustainable global trade — making it both an educational destination and a call to action for conscious consumerism. We welcome field trips and group tours – just drop us a line!
Interested in volunteering? Sign up here!
FAQ
How can I donate to the museum?
Thank you so much for your support! You can donate to the museum online or in-person at the Museum.
Chicago Fair Trade is a non-profit and our work is only possible thanks to donations like yours, so we are really grateful for your support.
I’m a Chicagoland teacher. Can I organize a visit for my class or club?
Yes, absolutely! Contact us at info@chicagofairtrade.org, so we can help arrange your visit.
What events are happening at the Chicago Fair Trade Museum?
Check our Events page regularly to keep up to date with the special events we have planned.
Are you the same people who run a fair trade Holiday Pop-Up Shop?
Yes, we are! Every year since 2014, Chicago Fair Trade has run a Holiday Pop-Up Shop selling products sold by local fair trade businesses in our member network during November and December. These products are now available in our Museum Store.
Why has Chicago Fair Trade opened a museum?
Education is one of the three core components of Chicago Fair Trade’s mission. Running a museum is a new and different route to get members of the public interested in and excited about fair trade. For over a decade, Chicago Fair Trade has invited the public to shop fair trade at our Holiday Pop-Up Shop. The Museum builds on this work by providing the public with more education and information about the many benefits of fair trade, and other ways to get involved in the fair trade movement aside from purchasing products.
How can I volunteer at the museum?
Thank you for your interest! Please get in touch with us at volunteering@chicagofairtrade.org to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Exhibits
Shop
