Shedd aquarium, a not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization, gratefully acknowledges the sustaining contributions of the people of chicago, state of illinois and chicago park district. shedd is an accredited member of the association of zoos and aquariums, a smithsonian affiliate, and humane conservation certified by american humane.. The shedd aquarium once was the largest indoor aquarium in the world, the first inland aquarium with a permanent saltwater fish collection. a gift of john g. shedd, a protege of marshall field, who was the benefactor of the nearby field museum, it was opened....