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The Obama Presidential Center

Chicago, Illinois

The Obama Presidential Center will be a world-class museum and public gathering space that celebrates our nation’s first African American President and First Lady and serves as a resource for collective civic engagement on the South Side of Chicago. The Center will not only honor past achievements through effective story-telling, but it will also extend its mission to become a place of story-making.

Inside, exhibits will explore the fullness of the American story—from the promise of America’s founding documents to the social movements that challenged us to live up to them. Visitors will learn about the volunteers who worked on the historic campaign and explore the eight years of progress, setback, and hope that followed. The Center will be a place to reflect and grow, connect and create; to tap into your own sense of purpose and discover the change you want to make in the world.

Most meaningfully, by celebrating President and Mrs. Obama’s legacy, the Center’s museum will remind young visitors—whether they’re from the South Side or the Southern Hemisphere—that their potential is limitless. The project is currently in-progress.

For more information and updates, please visit the Obama Foundation’s website.

Year 2025

Architect Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects Interactive Design Architects

Project Details

Chicago Exhibit Design Partner: Civic Projects

Chicago Graphic Design Partner: Normal Studio

Chicago Creative Consultants: Amanda Williams, Andres L. Hernandez, Norman Teague

A/V Design and Engineering: Electrosonic

Lighting Designer: Quantum Lighting Group

Acoustical Engineering: SHA Acoustics

Renderings: DBOX

Photography Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects