A Replica of the Oval Office: Inside the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago
· Telemundo McAllen (KTLM)
Just days before the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago on June 19, the interior of the modern building honoring former President Barack Obama, who has strong ties to the city, was revealed. A new video of the expansive facility provided a glimpse of what to expect, including a regulation-sized basketball court, a branch of the Chicago Public Library, acres of green space, and a full museum highlighting Obama's years in the White House. 'It’s a living, breathing legacy because our hope is that people take the change back to their communities,' said Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation, in an interview with NBC News. The campus, located at 6001 S. Stony Island Ave. in the South Side, officially opens to the public on the holiday known as Juneteenth, more than a decade after the former president chose his hometown of Chicago for the project. However, tens of thousands of people—friends and family of museum staff, students, and journalists—have already had the chance to see it first, as teams complete final artistic installations and landscaping work. Museum officials expect the campus to attract up to one million visitors each year. Before the grand opening, here’s what you need to know about the center. When does the Obama Presidential Center open? According to a statement from the organizers, the grand opening festivities will take place from June 19 to 21, featuring a 'free, open-house-style weekend to commemorate this incredible milestone.' 'These opening days are a preview of how the campus will be activated year-round to inspire, empower, and connect us all to create change,' the center stated. 'The campus is free and open to the public, and we want you to be there to bring it to life.' Details of the weekend celebrations have not been fully disclosed, but preliminary announcements indicated there will be live entertainment, temporary food stalls, 'fan zones' featuring professional Chicago teams and their mascots, face painting, storytelling sessions, and other family-friendly activities. Officials noted that while the campus will be open to everyone, museum tickets are sold out for the opening weekend. In addition to the grand opening, a ceremony will take place on June 18. 'The response to our official party to view the grand opening ceremony, held at nearby Midway Plaisance, has been incredible; therefore, requests for tickets to this in-person community gathering are now closed,' the center announced. 'However, you can still be part of this historic moment from anywhere in the world. We will livestream the full ceremony on Thursday, June 18, so you can tune in from wherever you are!' Former President Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama are expected to travel to Chicago for the grand opening. What will be inside? The project, costing approximately $850 million, encompasses both the political and personal dimensions of the country's first Black president. Campaign memorabilia and presidential artifacts will be displayed in the ticketed-access museum tower, while the public spaces of the extensive campus will include other significant elements for Obama: a new library, a regulation-sized basketball court, and a picnic area with grills. The museum will also feature an exhibit dedicated to his time in the Oval Office, including a replica within the museum itself. It will also be the first fully digital museum of its kind, foregoing a large number of official documents on display. Instead, visitors will navigate high-tech, interactive exhibits covering the campaigns, key moments of Obama's presidency, and life in the White House. Iconic dresses worn by former First Lady Michelle Obama will also be on display. Approximately a dozen outfits on mannequins will be behind glass, including a black and red dress designed by Narciso Rodriguez that the former First Lady wore on election night in 2008 in Chicago. According to museum officials, the campus spans nearly 20 acres. How to get tickets Access to the museum will cost $30 for adults aged 12 and older, or $26 for Illinois residents. Admission for children aged 3 to 11 will cost $23, while Illinois residents will receive a discount to $15. Although the museum charges an admission fee, most of the campus is free and open to the public, including a branch of the Chicago Public Library, public art installations, and park space around the campus. According to officials, the museum will use timed tickets for access, which can be purchased in advance online. However, there are several ways to obtain free admission to the museum, including free entry for all Illinois residents on Tuesdays, officials said. It is recommended to secure those tickets in advance, and proof of residency will be required at the entrance. According to the museum's website, Illinois teachers, active-duty military personnel, and veterans will also have access. Comcast NBC Universal, our parent company, is a donor to the Obama Presidential Center. This story was translated from Spanish with the help of a generative artificial intelligence tool. An editor from Telemundo Chicago reviewed the translation.
AI summary · Source: Telemundo McAllen (KTLM) →
