Nearly a decade in development, the Obama Presidential Center will officially dedicate its campus Thursday with a ceremony featuring global leaders, artists, and community members on Chicago's south side.
The grand opening will include musical performances by Bruce Springsteen, Christina Aguilera, and John Legend, among other notable figures. Every living president will attend the dedication except one: President Trump, who was not extended an invitation to the ceremony.
Valerie Jarrett, longtime Obama White House aide and current CEO of the Obama Foundation, addressed the decision during a press preview in early June. While Trump remains welcome to visit the museum and receive a tour, the dedication ceremony was reserved for those who supported the former president throughout his journey. "I can tell you that this is a celebration for those who helped get President Obama where he is. And this is a gift to them," Jarrett told NPR. "And so the people who will be here are the people who've been helpful along the way."
The center occupies more than 19 acres and represents a significant addition to Chicago's cultural landscape. The campus features a towering museum designed to inspire change and offer hope while providing an intimate look at life inside the Obama White House.
Beyond the museum, the campus houses a branch of the Chicago Public Library, an NBA regulation-size basketball court, and a Women's Garden honoring female leaders in Chicago. Additional amenities include an auditorium, a media suite available for public use, a Wetland Walk, a fruit and vegetable garden, and a playground.
The dedication ceremony Thursday marks the beginning of a days-long opening weekend. Following the star-studded dedication, the museum will open its doors to the public Friday, allowing visitors to explore the exhibits and facilities.
The center differs from traditional presidential libraries in one significant aspect: it will not house former President Barack Obama's presidential documents. Those records remain with the largely digital Barack Obama Presidential Library, which is operated by the National Archives. However, the center's museum does display some records and artifacts on loan, providing visitors with tangible connections to the Obama presidency.
The campus represents a continuation of the themes that defined the Obama presidency, with messaging centered around hope and change woven throughout the space. Curators envision the center as more than a retrospective look at eight years in office, but rather as an active force for inspiring civic engagement and community transformation on Chicago's south side.
