Late Show Set Arrived at Chicago Museum

The original desk and chairs from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert are now on display at the Museum of Broadcast Communications.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Comedy

Graphic poster illustration of a wooden desk and chairs centered in a gallery space, representing a television set museum exhibit. — The Museum of Broadcast Communications in Chicago has opened an exhibit featuring the original desk and chairs from 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.' *AI Illustration.* Upload story photo >

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The Museum of Broadcast Communications has debuted the original set pieces from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The installation, which features the show's iconic desk and chairs, provides fans with a closer look at the production environment used from 2015 to May 2026.

Why it matters

Producers donated the set to the museum to ensure its preservation after the program concluded its run. The choice to exhibit the pieces in Chicago honors the city's role as the foundation of Stephen Colbert's comedy career.

The display area is three times smaller than the original stage at the Ed Sullivan Theatre in New York City. The set first went into use when the program began production in 2015.

The players

Museum of Broadcast Communications

This Chicago institution preserves and displays artifacts related to the history of radio and television broadcasting.

Stephen Colbert

He is a comedian and television host who famously launched his career in Chicago before becoming a national late-night figure.

The details

Located at 440 W. Randolph St. in the West Loop, the museum display includes the desk, chairs, and various set pieces used during the show's run. Museum officials acquired the items after show producers contacted them to offer the set for public exhibition.

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert began production in 2015.
The program concluded its run in May 2026.
The museum launched the Evolution of Late-Night Television exhibit in October 2025.
The Colbert set exhibition debuted to the public in September 2026.

Industry Dynamics

The exhibition follows the established curatorial pattern set by the museum's existing Evolution of Late-Night Television exhibit. This acquisition reflects a growing trend of late-night programs preserving their physical legacy for public study as the medium evolves.

Visitors can now view the iconic stage components in person at the West Loop location. The display offers fans a tangible connection to the production history of a long-running national television series.

The takeaway

Preservation efforts like this ensure that physical artifacts from major television history remain accessible to the public. Chicago residents and visitors can view this specific installation as part of the museum's wider collection of broadcast history.