CHICAGO — Former U.S. presidents joined political leaders, public figures and invited guests in Chicago on Thursday for the dedication of the Obama Presidential Center, a new civic and educational campus honoring former President Barack Obama on the city’s South Side, organizers and media reports said. The center, located in Jackson Park, is scheduled to open to the public on June 19.
The dedication ceremony marked the official unveiling of the project after years of planning, fundraising and construction, according to the Obama Foundation. Former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush and Joe Biden attended alongside Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, Reuters and the Associated Press reported.
The Obama Foundation said the center was designed as a hub for civic engagement, education and community programming. The campus spans about 19 acres and includes a museum, public gathering spaces, athletic facilities, gardens and a branch of the Chicago Public Library. Most outdoor areas will be open to the public without charge, while museum admission will require tickets.
In a statement released earlier by the foundation, Obama said the center was intended to inspire future generations. “We have always believed in the power of ordinary people to come together to make extraordinary change,” foundation Chief Executive Valerie Jarrett said in announcing the opening events.
The project, funded privately through the Obama Foundation, has been under development for nearly a decade. Organizers said the center reflects the former president’s ties to Chicago, where he began his political career and community organizing work. Construction and planning faced delays and legal challenges over the years before completion.
The dedication ceremony featured musical performances and remarks from public figures, according to the foundation and media reports. Thousands of invited guests attended, while members of the public were able to follow the event through livestreams and community watch gatherings.
The center is set to begin welcoming visitors on Friday as part of a weekend of public events tied to its grand opening, the Obama Foundation said. Activities are scheduled to continue through June 21, with community programs, cultural events and exhibitions planned across the campus.
