Chicago’s South Side has a major new civic and cultural destination. The Obama Presidential Center opened to the public in June 2026, bringing together a museum, public campus, community spaces, and leadership programming.
At a glance
- Opened: June 2026
- Location: Jackson Park, Chicago
- Museum: Four levels of exhibits
- Also on campus: Public spaces, recreation, programming, and a Chicago Public Library branch
What is inside the museum?
The museum follows the lives of Barack and Michelle Obama, the work of the Obama presidency, and the people and social movements that shaped that history. Visitors can explore interactive exhibits, view memorabilia, and see Chicago from the Sky Room.
The Center presents presidential history as part of a larger story about citizenship, organizing, and public service.
The campus is bigger than the museum
The Center was designed as a public campus, not only a ticketed attraction. Outdoor areas, recreation space, community events, and library services broaden what visitors can do there.
Planning a visit
General museum admission requires an advance ticket. Parts of the wider campus can be visited without museum admission.
Why Chicago?
The location connects the institution to the city where Barack and Michelle Obama built careers in law, public service, and community work.
One important distinction
The Obama Foundation operates the Center and museum. The Barack Obama Presidential Library is administered by the National Archives and Records Administration, which maintains the official presidential records. The two institutions work with the same history but serve different roles.