The Obama Presidential Center will open later this month in Chicago, featuring a campus with various amenities including basketball courts, gardens, and an eight-story museum. It is not a traditional presidential library.
Key points
Obama Presidential Center opening later this month
Located on the South Side of Chicago
Features basketball courts, gardens, and playgrounds
Includes an eight-story museum
Not a traditional presidential library
Mentioned in this story
Obama Presidential CenterChicago
An exterior view of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
An exterior view of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago.
Lucy Hewett for NPR
Lucy Hewett for NPR
Later this month, the Obama Presidential Center will open on the South Side of Chicago. In a preview for the press, NPR and other media toured the building and grounds showcasing the Obama presidency.
It isn't a presidential library. It's a campus, with basketball courts, gardens, ball fields, a playground for kids, a Chicago public library branch and an eight- story museum that towers over it all.
The first thing visitors see when they walk into the museum is the word "hope." It's one of numerous art installations throughout the facility.
Visitors sit in front of Mark Bradford’s "City of the Big Shoulders", a colorful multimedia piece that extends from the mezzanine to the first floor. LUCY HEWETT FOR NPR
Visitors sit in front of Mark Bradford's "City of the Big Shoulders", a colorful multimedia piece that extends from the mezzanine to the first floor. LUCY HEWETT FOR NPR
Lucy Hewett for NPR
Lucy Hewett for NPR
Q&A
What features are included in the Obama Presidential Center?
The Obama Presidential Center includes basketball courts, gardens, ball fields, a playground, a public library branch, and an eight-story museum.
When is the Obama Presidential Center opening?
The Obama Presidential Center is set to open later this month.
Where is the Obama Presidential Center located?
The Obama Presidential Center is located on the South Side of Chicago.
Is the Obama Presidential Center a presidential library?
No, the Obama Presidential Center is not a presidential library; it is a campus with various community features.
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Visitors pass through the center; artist Nick Cave’s "This Land, Shared Sky" (in collaboration with Marie Watt) is on display.
Visitors pass through the center; artist Nick Cave's "This Land, Shared Sky" (in collaboration with Marie Watt) is on display.
Lucy Hewett for NPR
Lucy Hewett for NPR
Visitors can catch glimpses of Julie Mehretu's layered glass artwork while riding the escalators between floors.
Visitors can catch glimpses of Julie Mehretu's layered glass artwork while riding the escalators between floors.
Lucy Hewett for NPR
Lucy Hewett for NPR
Hope and change were guiding themes of former President Barack Obama's improbable 2008 presidential campaign that led to two terms in office.
There are floors of exhibits that tell not just the story of the former president and first lady, but also the story of the nation, starting with the Declaration of Independence.
"It begins with the history of our country, the Declaration of Independence, the suffrage movement, slavery, reconstruction, the civil rights movement, all of the different ways in which ordinary people brought about the change that led to his presidency," said Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation.
Valerie Jarrett, former Senior Advisor to President Obama, gives opening remarks to press in the center's auditorium.
Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation, gives opening remarks to press in the center's auditorium.
Lucy Hewett for NPR
Lucy Hewett for NPR
In the Obama Presidential Center Museum, the story of America is that of a nation striving to become a more perfect union, a phrase Obama returned to often in his speeches.
One floor up, the museum details Obama's first presidential campaign, including the bruising primary election. There's a whole section of campaign buttons; there are campaign signs, both homemade and mass produced. A documentary-style video with swelling music brings visitors back to the emotion of that time, the promise many felt with the election of America's first Black president.
One exhibit in the center recalls Obama's improbable 2008 victory against John McCain.
One exhibit in the center recalls Obama's improbable 2008 victory against John McCain.
Lucy Hewett for NPR
Lucy Hewett for NPR
The second level of the museum chronicles the movements that inspired the Obamas and their political rise. LUCY HEWETT FOR NPR
The second level of the museum chronicles the movements that inspired the Obamas and their political rise.
Lucy Hewett for NPR
Lucy Hewett for NPR
The museum's exhibits include artifacts from Obama's early life and time in office. Items on display include everything from Obama's Nobel Peace Prize to a handprint art project he made in elementary school. There's a replica of the Oval Office, decorated as it was when Obama was there and a display of first lady Michelle Obama's dresses. And it's not just couture ballgowns and inauguration attire. There's also a basic sleeveless dress from Target.
Level four of the Obama Presidential Center includes a replica of the Oval Office and pieces from Michelle Obama's wardrobe.
Level four of the Obama Presidential Center includes a replica of the Oval Office and pieces from Michelle Obama's wardrobe.
Lucy Hewett for NPR
Lucy Hewett for NPR
One wardrobe item not on display is President Obama's infamous tan suit, which sparked criticism when he first wore it in 2014. Jarrett says he told her he thinks he gave it away.
One wardrobe item not on display is President Obama's infamous tan suit, which sparked criticism when he first wore it in 2014. Jarrett says he told her he thinks he gave it away.
Lucy Hewett for NPR/NPR
Lucy Hewett for NPR/NPR
One item that's missing from the museum is Obama's tan suit, which he was criticized roundly for wearing. It was unserious, and not befitting the office, critics said. But it became a running joke for Obama supporters and members of his administration.
Apparently it wasn't as memorable for the former president.
"I asked him about the tan suit and he said, 'I think I gave it away,'" recalled Jarrett in an interview with NPR. "He wasn't even positive where it ended up, but he did give it away. So we just have photos, beautiful photos of that tan suit."
It's been nearly a decade since President Obama left office but in terms of politics and policy, it's been several lifetimes. Yet, in the museum, the vibes are very much from that earlier time.
The Center also features an indoor basketball facility.
The Center also features an indoor basketball facility.
Lucy Hewett for NPR
Lucy Hewett for NPR
In The Sky Room visitors can look out to Chicago's South and West Side neighborhoods.
In The Sky Room visitors can look out to Chicago's South and West Side neighborhoods.
Lucy Hewett for NPR/NPR
Lucy Hewett for NPR/NPR
In The Sky Room, visitors can look through the text on the facade of the building to view Chicago's South and West Side neighborhoods.
In The Sky Room, visitors can look through the text on the facade of the building to view Chicago's South and West Side neighborhoods.
Lucy Hewett for NPR
Lucy Hewett for NPR
There's a timeline of President Obama's accomplishments while in office. The raid that killed Osama bin Laden. The passage of the Affordable Care Act. A number of those listed have since been reversed by President Trump: the Iran nuclear deal, the Paris climate agreement and lifting the ban on transgender individuals serving in the military.
Jarrett said she's hoping visitors will come away not just nostalgic for what was but motivated to make change, again.
The Obama Center features displays that tell not only the Obamas' story but also the story of the country, according to Jarrett: “It begins with the history of our country, the Declaration of Independence, the suffrage movement, slavery, Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Movement, all of the different ways in which ordinary people brought about the change that led to his presidency."
The Obama Center features displays that tell not only the Obamas' story but also the story of the country, according to Jarrett: "It begins with the history of our country, the Declaration of Independence, the suffrage movement, slavery, Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Movement, all of the different ways in which ordinary people brought about the change that led to his presidency."
Lucy Hewett for NPR/NPR
Lucy Hewett for NPR/NPR
Level five of the center inspires visitors to examine their own role in inspiring change; Idris Khan’s "Sky of Hope", a massive ceiling painting that overlaps thousands of hand-stamped words.
Idris Khan's "Sky of Hope", a massive ceiling painting that overlaps thousands of hand-stamped words; level five of the center inspires visitors to examine their own role in inspiring change.
Lucy Hewett for NPR
Lucy Hewett for NPR
A new branch of the Chicago Public Library has been built near the entrance to the campus.
A new branch of the Chicago Public Library has been built near the entrance to the campus.
Lucy Hewett for NPR
Lucy Hewett for NPR
ABronze sculpture of President and Mrs. Obama, created by StudioEIS, greets visitors in the plaza.
A bronze sculpture of President and Mrs. Obama, created by StudioEIS, greets visitors in the plaza.
Lucy Hewett for NPR
