CHICAGO — Former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama joined former Presidents George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Joe Biden at the dedication ceremony for the Obama Presidential Center on Thursday, as the long-awaited complex in Jackson Park prepared to open to the public the following day.
The invite-only grand opening ceremony took place on June 18 at the center’s John Lewis Plaza, according to the Obama Foundation and multiple news outlets. The facility, which includes a museum, library and community spaces, is scheduled to open to the public on Friday, June 19 — Juneteenth — with a free open-house style event.
Construction of the privately funded center, estimated at about $850 million, began in 2021 after years of planning and faced delays and local controversies over costs and community impact, officials and reports said.
The center, built on Chicago’s South Side, aims to celebrate the legacy of the Obamas and serve as a hub for community, creativity and civic engagement. It features a museum tower presenting the story of Barack and Michelle Obama, along with outdoor spaces and programming areas.
Former Presidents Bush, Clinton and Biden, along with their spouses, attended the ceremony, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. The event included performances by artists such as Jennifer Hudson, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder and others, according to the Obama Foundation.
A livestream of the ceremony was available on obama.org, drawing global attention to the milestone. Obama Foundation officials described the opening as a celebration of community and shared values.
Details of specific remarks or additional attendees remained fluid as the event unfolded, with organizers emphasizing broad participation from dignitaries, artists and local residents.
The project has drawn both support and criticism. Supporters view it as an economic and cultural boost for the South Side, while some critics have raised concerns about construction costs, which reportedly tripled from initial estimates, and related public infrastructure spending, according to reports.
As of Thursday, the center was set to welcome visitors starting Friday with free programming, including community activities. Tickets for museum entry are available through the foundation’s website.
“Today is about more than a building — it’s about what’s possible when we come together,” Obama said during the ceremony, according to accounts from attendees and media coverage.
The opening marks the completion of a major presidential center project, with public access beginning on Friday. Further programming details for the weekend events are expected to be released by the Obama Foundation.
