CHICAGO (WLS) — A privileged few have had the opportunity to step into the Obama Presidential Center located on Chicago’s South Side.
On Monday, ABC7 offers an exclusive glimpse inside one of the key attractions at former President Barack Obama’s museum in Jackson Park.
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Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation, provided ABC7 access to the Oval Office replica on Monday. This meticulous recreation of the office during Obama’s presidency is a standout feature of the Obama Presidential Center.
“It brings back a flood of memories,” Jarrett remarked.
Jarrett served as a senior advisor to President Obama throughout his time in office.
“Even I, who experienced this firsthand for eight years, tend to forget some details. I’ll see an exhibit and think, ‘Oh yes, I recall that moment,'” Jarrett shared.
This is among the exhibits at the center that visitors will be able to see. They can even sit in Obama’s chair and see the letter former President Bush left in the desk for him.
“He was so kind to write a very thoughtful note,” Jarrett said.
The foundation has hired about 500 people for the center’s operation and hundreds of others constructed the buildings in Jackson Park. Jarrett says many of those hired for the $800 million project were from Chicago’s South and West sides.
“We are a month away from the opening ceremony, opening to the public on the 19th,” Jarrett said.
This will be the first U.S. presidential archive that is fully accessible online. For those coming to the center, tickets for the museum are sold out through Aug. 10, but more will be released over time.
Jarrett says visiting with a ticket or reservation on an Illinois free day in-person is meant not just to look back, but to look forward.
“This is the permanent home for hope. Hope is not easy, Leah. Hope is hard, particularly during challenging times,” Jarrett said. “Yes, things are tough right now, but they’ve been tough before, and people sacrificed for us greatly for us all to have the opportunities that we had, and so, what do we do with that opportunity?”
As the staff tweaks things inside during the soft opening, work continues outside the finish the hardscaping and landscaping of the center’s 19 acres.
Community meeting held ahead of Obama Center’s grand opening
Meanwhile, another big community meeting got underway as the South Side gets ready for the center’s grand opening.
Obama was previously a community organizer, and keeping this community on top of developments remains a priority.
Neighbors of the Obama Center emerged from Hyde Park Academy High School after hearing from Jarrett and others about what it is going to be like around there in a month’s time, when the center finally opens.
While there are worries about traffic and crowds, the excitement for the grand opening is palpable.
“They are putting forth the effort to make it inclusive for the people that live in the community, definitely,” said Shirley Curtwright.
There are a few preview opportunities for neighbors to take in the campus with its museum, including the Oval Office replica, a library, a basketball court, and outdoor facilities. Attendees heard that they will need to be patient in the center’s opening days.
“I am so proud. I am so proud of you, from Chicago, born, raised, and buttered, and the fact that this is here it is going to invite so much opportunity,” said Eloise Franks.
It is likely that any community organizer would be pleased with the sensibility of those exiting the meeting, including the Allens, who have lived in the area for decades.
“It’s alive; that’s all I can say,” said Morris Allen Jr.
“I feel the same way. I get chills just driving down Stony Island, seeing the building lit up, seeing the speech on the building. It is just alive and vibrant,” said Virginia Allen.
And there will be a convenient way to get to and from the new center when it opens.
Choose Chicago and Big Bus tours just announced a new seasonal shuttle service.
Along with traveling to the Obama Center, the shuttle service will also go to the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry.
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