4 things to know about Obama's new presidential museum

By — Sophia Tareen, Associated Press Sophia Tareen, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/4-things-to-know-about-obamas-new-presidential-museum Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter 4 things to know about Obama's new presidential museum Politics Jun 4, 2026 3:39 PM EDT CHICAGO (AP) — Former President Barack Obama's influence in his presidential museum runs deep, from the location on Chicago's South Side to textured stone adorning its dramatic tower to striped reading chairs that resemble ones in his own home. The Obama Presidential Center opens to the general public on Juneteenth after a celebratory dedication in Chicago with dignitaries. But tens of thousands of people — friends and family of museum staff, students and journalists — have already been offered a sneak peek of the nearly 20-acre campus as crews finish final art installations and landscaping. READ MORE: Obama's new presidential museum, by the numbers The roughly $850 million project covers the political and personal realms of the nation's first Black president. Campaign memorabilia and presidential artifacts are displayed in the admission-based museum tower while public spaces of the sprawling campus feature other things important to Obama: a new library, basketball court and picnic area with grills. "This is a safe space for people to come and, yes, reflect on the historic moments of this presidency and the campaigns, but also to come together as a community to think about what change you can bring to your own neighborhood," Josh Harris, the Obama Foundation's vice president of public engagement, said during a recent tour with The Associated Press. A person takes visuals of the Obama Presidential Center Museum from a sledding hill during a media preview day ahead of its June 19 opening to the public, in Chicago on June 3, 2026. Photo by Joshua Lott/ Reuters Here's a closer look at the top attractions of the campus that is expected to draw as many as 1 million visitors annually. President for a day Obama's presidential museum will be the first fully digital museum of its kind. There will be no official papers on display. Instead, visitors will experience high-tech and hands-on exhibits spanning the campaigns, key moments of Obama's presidency and life at the White House. WATCH: After 5 years, Obamas break ground on Presidential Center in Chicago One of the largest attractions is a life-sized replica of the Oval Office. Members of the media tour a replica of the Oval Office at the Obama Presidential Center Museum during a media preview day ahead of its June 19 opening to the public, in Chicago on June 3, 2026. Photo by Joshua Lott/ Reuters On a recent day, a stream of visitors, including schoolchildren, walked through the circular room, stopping to sit behind the desk and pose for pictures. The top drawer holds a copy of a handwritten letter from his predecessor, President George W. Bush