Former President Barack Obama’s legacy and impact on America is now cemented in the Obama Presidential Center, a new presidential museum opening to the general public on Juneteenth in Chicago’s South Side.
Former President Barack Obama’s new presidential museum is a representation of his legacy and the impact he’s had, and continues to have, on the United States of America. The Obama Presidential Center is located on Chicago’s South Side and is distinctly prominent with textured stone and a dramatic tower.
The presidential museum will officially open to the general public on Juneteenth, June 19th, following a celebratory dedication in Chicago with dignitaries, according to reports. So far, tens of thousands of people, including friends and family of museum staff, students, and journalists, have already been able to get a sneak peek of the Center.
The Obama Presidential Center is a nearly 20-acre campus adorned with art installations and intentional landscaping. The details within the nearly $850 million project is what truly makes the museum stand out. Campaign memorabilia, presidential artifacts, a library, basketball court, picnic area, and even striped reading chairs that resemble ones in Obama’s own home truly make the new Center a unique experience for visitors.
Josh Harris, the Obama Foundation’s vice president of public engagement, recently did a tour with the Associated Press where he discussed just how special the Obama Presidential Center will be for visitors.
“This is a safe space for people to come and, yes, reflect on the historic moments of this presidency and the campaigns, but also come together as a community to think about what change you can bring to your own neighborhood.”
There are a multitude of attractions throughout the campus, which is expected to see up to 1 million visitors annually.
Obama’s presidential museum will be the first fully digital museum of its kind to give visitors a truly hands-on experience. High-tech exhibits will take them through the campaigns and key moments of Obama’s presidency and life at the White House.
One of the most anticipated attractions is a life-sized replica of the Oval Office. This display will allow visitors to walk through the circular room and sit behind the desk while posing for pictures. People will also be able to see in the top drawer which contains a handwritten letter from his predecessor President George W. Bush, and Obama’s BlackBerry phone.
“We want to make sure that people from all walks of life have the opportunity to sit behind the Resolute Desk,” said Harris.
“You think about the possibilities that if a young organizer from the South Side of Chicago can be president, you can be president too.”
The museum also has an area detailing the Affordable Care Act and immigration policies, as well as other memorable presidential moments like when Obama sang during a 2015 eulogy for those who were killed in a South Caroline church shooting. There are many small pieces that make this such an immersive experience for visitors like areas for personal reflection.
“We’re passing the baton and inviting people to bring change home, however change may be defined, both small or large,” said Louise Bernard, the museum’s director.
When Obama visited the site at its groundbreaking in 2021, he already was hinting at what would be some of the best parts of the Center.
“We want this center to be more than a static museum or a source of archival research. It won’t just be a collection of campaign memorabilia or Michelle’s ballgowns, although I know everybody will come see those.”
In fact, there are about a dozen outfits on mannequins including a black and red dress designed by Narciso Rodriguez that the former first lady wore on Election Night in 2008 in Chicago. To make it even more immersive, visitors can also touch swatches of fabrics from some of the amazing dresses Michelle Obama wore throughout the Obama administration, including the rose gold chain mail Atelier Versace evening gown she wore at her final state dinner in 2016, AP teased.
The essence of the Obama Presidential Center was done with clear intention. From its location near the University of Chicago, where Obama started his political career teaching law and where he lived with his family, to a glass-paneled, professional grade basketball court to be used for community programs.
Michelle Obama also designed a garden on the campus where lettuce and strawberry plants are sprouting. Barack also wanted the entire thing to be utilized by the community, which is why he made sure charcoal grills would be available for public use in the picnic areas.
“President Obama always talked about his feelings of being in Chicago and one of his memorable moments was grilling in the park,” Harris said.
The museum also features dozens of commissioned works of art named after prominent figures. The presidential reading room contains thousands of books chosen by the Obamas.
Tickets for the museum are $30, the highest of any US presidential museum or library. Obama Foundation leaders have stated that the price is justified due to how state-of-the-art the facility is, and the fact that tickets are only required for four floors of the museum tower, with most of the campus being free.
There will also be free days and discounts for Illinois residents, and open access to freely use the playground, library, sledding hill, or grilling/picnic area.
“The idea behind this institution, this campus, was to make it accessible to as many people as possible,” Harris stated.
Eric Mastrota is a Contributing Editor at The National Digest based in New York. A graduate of SUNY New Paltz, he reports on world news, culture, and lifestyle. You can reach him at eric.mastrota@thenationaldigest.com.
