Fannie Lou Hamer Walkway at the Obama Presidential Center
Chicago, Illinois
6001 South Stony Island, Chicago, IL | (773) 900-0044
(HOURS)
CAMPUS GROUNDS: SUN-SAT 6AM-9PM; MUSEUM: MON 1PM-8PM|TUES-SUN 10AM-5PM
June 18, 2026: Dedication and Grand Opening Ceremony June 19, 2026: Official Opening
The Obama Presidential Center (right) is more than a landmark—it’s a new space of possibilities. Built on the South Side where the Obamas’ journey began, this 19.3 acre campus was designed with you in mind. Find inspiration in a one-of-a-kind Museum, dive into a story at the public library, or hang with friends on the Great Lawn. From around the block to across the world, this is your home for hope and change. (Left) At nearly 7-feet tall, a statue depicting former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama waving during their 2009 inauguration parade is outside the entrance of the Museum Tower at the Obama Presidential Center. The sculpture was created by by StudioEIS, a Brooklyn-based sculpture and design companyThe Obama Presidential Center marks a milestone for Chicago’s South Side by creating a new civic, cultural, and educational destination rooted in community and public engagement.
As part of the broader vision for the campus and its surrounding public areas, a series of spaces have been created that honor the civil rights and democracy leaders who have inspired President and Mrs. Obama’s own leadership journeys. These include Mississippi-sharecropper and voting rights advocate Fannie Lou Hamer. The signage at the Fannie Lou Hamer Walkway at the entrance to the campus at the Obama Presidential Center. And an artist’s early rendering of the dedicated space honoring civil rights icon and humanitarian Fannie Lou Hamer. Photos courtesy of Mario Amaya-Velazquez and the Obama Presidential Center.
Construction on the Fannie Lou Hamer Walkway
The Walkway leads visitors to the campus entrance
The Fannie Lou Hamer Walkway taking shape
Situated at the entrance to the campus, the Fannie Lou Hamer Walkway serves as a “park within a park" that blends lush plantings and stone hardscapes to provide a contemplative transition between the Library and Forum buildings.Additional signage honoring Hamer appear on the north facing wall just inside the courtyard and features one of her quotes: “And it’s no easy way out. We just got to wake up and face it, folks. And if I can face the issue, you can too.” - Fannie Lou Hamer
Welcome To The Obama Presidential Center!
“I like to think of the Obama Presidential Center as a tribute to what happens when ordinary people come together and do extraodinary things.” - President Barack Obama
Located on Chicago’s South Side, the Obama Presidential Center is a global hub designed to inspire, empower, and connect people to create change.Visitors of all ages can explore the open campus, engage with immersive exhibits and public programs, and discover how they can make a difference in their own communities.Welcoming The First Guests!
Former Presidents Joseph Biden, Barack Obama, George Bush and Bill Clinton at the opening of the Obama Presidential Center.
Former Presidents and their wives Dr. Jill Biden, Michelle Obama, Laura Bush and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Opening Ceremony
Exterior view of Opening Ceremony.
President Obama addresses the crowd in Jackson Park.
Aeriel view of Opening Ceremony.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama talks about her husband and his mother, Stanley Ann Dunham.
President Obama is reflective as his wife talks about his life and career.
President and Mrs. Barack Obama.
President Barack Obama.
Valerie Jarrett, CEO of the Obama Foundation addresses the crowd.
President Obama speaks to the crowd.
Star-Studded Performances
Jennifer Hudson
Performance artists: Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Stevie Wonder, Common, Bruce Springsteen and Eddie Vedder.
John Legend
Marc Anthony
Christina Aguilera
Common and Uniting Voices Chicago
Eddie Vedder and Guitars Over Guns
Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly the Chicago Children's Choir)