Campus
The Obama Presidential Center is an awe-inspiring 19.3 acre campus nestled within Chicago’s historic Jackson Park. Designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects, this campus will be a global hub for inspiration, action, and community.
The John Lewis Plaza
Upon arriving, visitors will be welcomed into the heart of the Center—a public plaza that serves as a place for the Foundation and our neighbors to host informal and planned gatherings alike. Anchored by public art, the Plaza will connect the Forum, Library and Museum buildings, and be a space to host outdoor performances, markets, and fairs, named in honor of the late civil rights leader and Congressman, John Lewis.
The Forum
The Forum Building will serve as a place to welcome the local community—a commons designed to bring people together. Largely built into the landscape of Jackson Park, the Forum will feature several collaborative and creative spaces, including the Hadiya Pendleton Atrium, the Elie Wiesel Auditorium, a Media Suite, and flexible program rooms. The gathering space will provide opportunities for visitors to relax, connect, and be in community with one another.
The Hadiya Pendleton Atrium
The Forum Atrium is named in honor of Hadiya Pendleton, a Chicago teen who died by gun violence shortly after participating in President Obama’s second inauguration activities with her majorette squad. The long, rectangular space spans the western face of the Forum Building with large windows that look out onto the John Lewis Plaza. The Atrium will be an open and welcoming space that allows us to gather, connect, and better understand the boundless potential that lies within each of us.
The Elie Wiesel Auditorium
The Auditorium, a signature space at the Center and also located in the Forum, is named in honor of Holocaust survivor and political activist, Elie Wiesel. Inspired by programming in the East Room of the White House during the Obama Presidency, the Auditorium is where the arts and humanities will come to life and dynamic speakers and performers from the South Side of Chicago, across the country, and around the world will reach the world.
The Museum
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Help Preserve History
The Barack Obama Foundation is actively seeking materials for acquisition consideration and potential display at the Obama Presidential Center Museum on Chicago’s South Side.
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The Eleanor Roosevelt Fruit & Vegetable Garden
Similar to the garden that Mrs. Obama planted at the White House, this one will be a place where young people and community members can get their hands dirty and learn about growing fruits and vegetables—and there will even be a few bee hives for honey.
Home Court
Anchoring the southwest corner of our campus in Jackson Park, Home Court at the Obama Presidential Center will serve as a place for active community engagement and enrichment.
As one of several hubs at the Presidential Center, this 45,000 square foot multipurpose space will act as a venue for a variety of youth and adult programming, professional conferences, and community events for organizations.
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Learn how community engagement is key to building the Obama Presidential Center.
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