Obama Presidential Center, Described As A ‘Hub For Change’ By Barack Obama, Is Set To Open In 2026 On Chicago’s South Side
The Obama Presidential Center is on track to open next year on Chicago’s South Side.
The Obama Foundation confirmed the timeline on its website, noting that followers can receive exclusive updates and previews leading up to the 2026 grand opening, and also shared details about what to expect at the 19-acre campus in Jackson Park.
Former President Barack Obama posted a video of the development on Instagram.
In his post, Obama described the center as “a hub for change,” where people from around the world can come together to connect, learn, and take what they gain “back to their own communities.”
The center is designed to be a gathering place for learning, civic engagement, and culture, according to the foundation. It will tell the story of the Obamas’ journey from community organizers on the South Side to national and global leadership, while creating opportunities for visitors and local residents to connect and learn.
It will feature a museum, a library, an athletic and events facility, a fruit and vegetable garden, and outdoor spaces.
The museum will explore Barack Obama’s presidency, policies, and initiatives, while also encouraging visitors to see their own potential for impact. Its exterior will display excerpts from Obama’s 2015 speech honoring the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery march, connecting the building’s design to the broader story of civil rights in America.
Additionally, at the top of the museum, the Sky Room — according to the foundation — will offer panoramic views of Lake Michigan, downtown Chicago, and the South Side. The space is intended for reflection, giving visitors a moment to take in both the city and the significance of the site.
The center’s library, which will operate as a branch of the Chicago Public Library, will go beyond housing archives. As reported by The New York Times, it will include digital media studios, job and vocational services, and a reading area filled with books chosen by the Obamas themselves.
Programming throughout the campus will include lectures, workshops, and community events focused on civic participation and leadership development. The Lower Level of the museum will feature a café, retail shop, and spaces for conversation and collaboration, along with connections to the Forum building, which will host public programming and media suites. Outdoor courtyards and gathering areas, as the foundation notes, will provide space for social interaction and quiet reflection.
The exact opening date of the Obama Presidential Center has not yet been announced.
