The Obama Presidential Center, a $850 million campus spanning 19.3 acres, is set to open on Chicago's South Side on Juneteenth. The sprawling facility includes museum exhibits, contemporary art, public gathering spaces, athletic facilities, and a branch of the Chicago Public Library. The center is privately run by the Obama Foundation, distinguishing it from other presidential libraries operated by the National Archives and Records Administration. This independence allows for greater flexibility in storytelling and funding. The center aims to serve as an economic catalyst for the surrounding community, with local contractors involved in its construction and anticipated investment in South and West Side neighborhoods. A general museum ticket will cost $30, making it the most expensive presidential museum or library to visit.
The museum features exhibits chronicling former President Barack Obama's political rise and presidency, alongside broader American history. Visitors first encounter the word "hope" upon entry, reflecting Obama's 2008 campaign themes. Art installations, such as Mark Bradford's "City of the Big Shoulders" and Nick Cave's "This Land, Shared Sky," are prominently displayed. The exhibits also cover the Declaration of Independence, suffrage movement, slavery, reconstruction, and the civil rights movement, emphasizing the role of ordinary people in shaping the nation's history.
The center's design and programming aim to blend educational and recreational elements, with amenities like basketball courts, gardens, ball fields, and a playground. Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation, highlighted the center's role in telling the story of America, starting with foundational documents and movements that led to Obama's presidency.