To support Teen Chicago, the creation of a national model and replicable strategy for urban history museums to increase their engagement with youth audiences and fill a void in traditional collecting and interpretation strategies that generally overlook the history of adolescence. The Chicago Historical Society (CHS), founded in 1856, is the oldest cultural institution in Chicago. CHS has experimented with exhibition programs involving teens since 1996 and it enjoyed particular success in 1998 with the exhibition Gotta Be Proper, Gotta Be Loose: West Side Style, an exhibition of clothing created by and for teenagers that was developed by students from Best Practices High School and the Illinois Math and Science Academy. The planning process for Teen Chicago has involved the collection of teen's stories of the past; an analysis of how teens' experiences have shaped the nature of the city; research of historic events that have shaped our concepts of modern teenagers as well as research and documentation of popular representations of teens. In 2003-2004, CHS will develop progressive programming for teens; produce an exhibition for, by and about teens; strengthen the teen community via a website, programs and an exhibition; and develop sustained teen audiences and create and disseminate a replicable model.