The Obama Presidential Center is opening to the public on Friday, June 19—and Secret Chicago went behind-the-scenes ahead of the debut!
Here’s an exclusive first-look at the sprawling new museum, library, and community center.
All about the Obama Presidential Center
The Obama Presidential Center is the culmination of a years-long development period and $850 million investment, according to the Obama Foundation.
Spanning 19.3 acres across Jackson Park on the South Side, the campus features a Museum, a Chicago Public Library branch, multiple community spaces, outdoor recreation areas, and dozens of public art installations.
The center generated approximately 5,000 construction jobs over the course of it’s development.
Additionally, the Obama Foundation has established more than 250 permanent on-site positions at the center, and 450 new jobs within the foundation.
Projections from the foundation predict more than 600,000 museum visitors each year, and up to 1 million total annual visitors to the campus.
Here’s an in-depth look at the campus amenities.
The Museum
The Obama Presidential Center Museum covers 4 floors of exhibition space, offering an immersive educational journey through Barack Obama’s historic presidency.
Through collections of media, artifacts, and interactive installations, the Obama Foundation encourages guests to explore our nation’s history and foster a commitment to civic duty.
Exhibitions include the following:
- Toward a More Perfect Union
- A journey through the historical progress movements that shaped President and Mrs. Obama’s legacy.
- Working for the Common Good
- An examination of the political achievements made during President Obama’s two-terms in office.
- The People’s House
- An immersive look at the First Family’s life at the White House. Highlights include iconic pieces from Mrs. Obama’s wardrobe and a full-scale replica of the Oval Office.
- The Sky Room
- Located on the 8th floor, the Sky Room provides sweeping views of the South Side and skyline.
The Library
The Obama Presidential Center includes a state-of-the-art Chicago Public Library branch.
Visitors will have access to hundreds of books, digital resources, and creative programming.
The building features open seating and lounge space, a wall-to-wall mural, and a special reading room curated by President and Mrs. Obama.
The Forum
The Forum building is the educational and public programming core of the Obama Presidential Center.
The building features classrooms, an auditorium, and retail and gathering space.
Also located in the Forum is Tafari’s Kitchen restaurant, helmed by award-winning Chicago Chef Cliff Rome.
The Grounds
The grounds of the Obama Presidential Center feature 3.7 acres of greenspace added to Jackson Park.
Additional campus highlights include a community plaza, walking paths, fruit and vegetable gardens, a massive public playground, and an indoor athletic facility.
Planning your visit
Tickets to the Obama Presidential Center are available now, with open dates beginning in August. All visitor dates for June and July are sold out.
Tickets start at $26 for adult Illinois residents and $15 for Illinois residents ages 3-11.
Click here to learn more about the center and plan your visit.
