CHICAGO – While we have not received any notice of any type of COVID-19 exposure for any guests or staff, we respect the unique responsibility the National Hellenic Museum has as a public gathering space open to all. We continue our normal cleaning protocol and have added a scheduled deep cleaning out of an abundance of caution. We are closely monitoring local, state and federal developments and recommendations. With recent developments, we have made the difficult, but we believe most socially responsible, decision to cancel our 03/28/2020 Greek Independence Day programming with our Greek Language Program students. Additionally, we will be adjusting our language programs, both at the adult and youth level, to a combination of distance based learning and possible extension of the academic year. Our staff are not participating in any large conferences or meetings and we are working with local schools to reschedule field trips and tours for later in the year. Our dedicated efforts in recent years to fully digitize our collections and operations affords the majority of our staff the ability to work remotely. Museum staff are able to continue the work of collecting and preserving the Greek Story in America uninterrupted while adjusting operations to align with best practices in public health and partner with our community to stop the spread of COVID-19. With the welfare of our guests and staff in mind, we will close to the public effective Friday, March 13, 2020 and reopen on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Our hope is that in choosing this course of action, we encourage people to take care of themselves and others, especially those that may have underlying medical conditions and for whom public spaces can be particularly challenging. We plan to keep up to date with all local and national developments and are fully prepared to adjust in whatever way best supports our visitors and staff.

We will keep you updated.