The Chester Gould Dick Tracy Museum

The Chester Gould Dick Tracy Museum is a virtual museum dedicated to the life and work of cartoonist Chester Gould and the history of his long-running comic strip, Dick Tracy. Established as a nonprofit organization, the museum preserves Gould’s legacy and documents the history and development of his best-known creation.

Gould created Dick Tracy after years of pursuing a career as a newspaper cartoonist. The strip debuted in 1931, and Gould continued to write and draw it until his retirement in 1977, completing more than 46 years with the character.

The museum explores Gould’s life and career through an extensive biographical timeline, along with stories about the people, places, and experiences that influenced his work. Visitors can learn about the Wilmette, Illinois, home where Gould developed Dick Tracy, his later home and studio near Woodstock, and his connections to the local community.

Originally located in Woodstock, Illinois, the physical museum closed in 2008 and its collection was transitioned online. The virtual museum continues to provide access to information about Gould and Dick Tracy, preserving the history of both for readers, comic enthusiasts, and researchers.