Obama Presidential Center Opens June 19 on Chicago's South Side

Key facts

• The Obama Presidential Center will open on June 19.
• The center is located in Jackson Park on Chicago's South Side.
• The South Side is recognized for its historical significance and cultural institutions.
• Notable neighborhoods include Bronzeville, Hyde Park, Washington Park, Woodlawn, and South Shore.
• The area features landmarks like the DuSable Black History Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry.

The Obama Presidential Center is set to open on June 19, aiming to draw visitors to Chicago's South Side, an area rich in history and cultural significance. Located in Jackson Park, the center is part of a community that has been home to artists, innovators, and agents of change for over a century.

The South Side is characterized by its vibrant institutions, including the DuSable Museum and the Museum of Science and Industry, alongside strong faith communities and community-based organizations. Historically, neighborhoods like Bronzeville have been known as the "Black Metropolis," filled with art galleries, murals, and restaurants. Hyde Park offers cultural assets and green spaces, including the Japanese Garden and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Washington Park and Woodlawn are known for the sprawling Washington Park and the DuSable Black History Museum, celebrating the African diaspora.

Jackson Park itself holds legacy assets from the 1893 World's Fair, such as the building that is now the Museum of Science and Industry, the Golden Lady statue, and the Wooded Island with its Osaka Garden. The area was originally designed by landscape architects Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux as "South Park" with a vision to revitalize communities.

Both Barack and Michelle Obama have deep ties to the South Side. President Obama worked as a community organizer in the Roseland neighborhood, focusing on job training and tenant rights. Michelle Obama grew up in the South Shore community and attended local schools. The Obama Foundation is proud to contribute to the ongoing story of the South Side, a community they consider home.