A Visit to the Obama Presidential Center

Hello my fellow bookworms,

(c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger), 2026

This past month, I was lucky enough to visit the new Obama Presidential Center on the south side of Chicago, Illinois. Tickets are going fast, as it just opened this past June, but what a beautiful museum! It also sports a restaurant, a gift shop, and a Chicago Public Library branch on its campus. There is a parking lot, which you will need to pay via phone app or web browser, but there is also street parking. There is also an NBA-regulation sized basketball court, a Forum, a community garden, and lots of art. The outside in particular has a powerful installation at the top of it that quotes President Obama's speech "You Are America." Specifically, it states:

"You are America. Unconstrained by habit and convention. Unencumbered by what is, ready to seize what ought to be. For everywhere in this country, there are first steps to be taken, there is new ground to cover, there are more bridges to be crossed. America is not the project of any one person. The single most powerful word in our democracy is the word ‘We.’ ‘We The People.’ ‘We Shall Overcome.’ ‘Yes We Can.’ That word is owned by no one. It belongs to everyone. Oh, what a glorious task we are given to continually try to improve this great nation of ours.”

–President Barack Obama, 2015

(c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger), 2026

(c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger), 2026

If you walk around to the back of the campus, you will run into Chicago's Jackson Park, where there are beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring. It is also the primary site for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition. If you are not familiar with it, you may be familiar with the book Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. 

If you are lucky enough to visit the museum, be sure to stay on the right-hand side going in, as the left-hand side line is for tickets to the Sky Room. Each day, there are approximately 200 (or less) tickets available to the public to visit the 8th floor of the museum, which hosts the Sky Room. Here, you can see the skyline of Chicago, specifically Jackson Park, Lake Michigan, the University of Chicago campus, and even the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry. On the ceiling are layers of text, highlighting President Obama's "You Are America" speech. It is a peaceful and beautiful spot. From here, I was able to capture the Chicago Public Library branch that holds The President's Reading Room, a City Maker Space, a courtyard, and an overall beautiful selection of areas to sit, read, and learn.

CPL Obama Presidential Library Branch
(c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger), 2026

(c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger), 2026

According to one of the museum staff members, as you go up the museum floors, each floor is to be taken in as a chapter in a book. The slogan "Yes We Can" is shown and reflected in the exhibits, which celebrate the people and stories from those involved in the campaign to those who were honored by the President to everyday American heroes. There is a real Nobel Peace Prize, Grammy, a real copy of the Declaration of Independence, and other historical artifacts. I loved Michelle Obama's dresses! Very fashionable.

(c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger), 2026

There is even a cute storywalk on the way to the replica Oval Office. You can even take a photo inside the replica as if you are in the Oval Office! There are areas in the museum where you can record your own story to add to the experience, play with interactive exhibits, and even places to sit and listen to clips from history.

The comradery, history, and just overall happiness in visiting was a pleasant experience. I enjoyed my time and hope others get to enjoy the museum and all it has to offer, as well. It was very inspirational and I will leave you with one of the quotes that spoke to me (the first was "Hard Work is Hard"):

(c) Once Upon A Book Blog(ger), 2026

Did you guys have a fun summer? Did you visit any book-related or historical places? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time - Happy Reading!