SATURDAY we visited the Obama Presidential Center (OPC) with our friends Karen and Mark. I expected to be wow’ed. I did not expect to be so touched, so inspired, so sad, so connected, so safe, so valued, so nostalgic, so hopeful/hopeless simultaneously. I could not do this blog on Saturday because I had to process all that we had seen and experienced, remembered and shared.
Everything about the OPC was extraordinarily and thoughtfully planned, constructed and delivered/presented/shared. The campus includes fruit/vegetable gardens, a public library, playground, wetland walk, picnic/cook-out space, a basketball court, wellness rooms, the Democracy in Action Lab, an auditorium, a cafe, restaurant, shop. Everything is physically and all-senses accessible. Bus lines and Chicago trains stop there. The staff are all friendly, knowledgeable, personable, upbeat — and they both radiate and speak freely of how much they love their jobs and being part of this extraordinary “heart of America” place.
Reflected throughout the structures, the exhibits, the public indoor and outdoor spaces, and the staff are the values that the Obamas hold dear and live: respect, hope, empathy, community, connection, grace, possibility, positive energy. authenticity, service.
There are four floors of exhibits that progress from the context of what shaped the Obamas’ lives and values, through the presidential years, the joyfulness of the White House and finally, what remains for us to do to help shape and protect our democracy. The floors are named: Toward a More Perfect Union, Working for the Common Good, The People’s House and We the People.
Each floor has videos, text/photos, art, and artifacts. We first learn about the Obamas and changemaking. Then we have a solid lesson on civics/democracy and Obama’s policy priorities: healthcare, economic reform, US connections/diplomacy, defense policy and counterterrorism. When he took office, Obama told the world that the US will “extend her hand if you will open your fist.” He dealt with school shootings, other mass shootings, the remnants of The Great Recession. And he did it all with a clear sense of working on behalf of the people of the US — native-born and immigrant — and people around the world. The values cited above were at the core of his work — and that of Michelle as well. Next we see how the Obamas truly considered the White House “The People’s House”, and how they made it welcoming, inclusive and joyful. Finally, they nudge us to do something in our own lives to help our country continue to evolve.
Above the exhibit floors is the Sky Room: the top of the tower you see in photos, where one wall of cut-out letters communicates the words of Obama’s Selma speech in 2015. It really summarizes his view of our democracy, the people, and the strength we have shown and still show. The ceiling is an artistic smattering of the same words, “meticulously hand-stamped,” word by word, layer by layer, to create an awesome effect. (The words are shown in the photo above.)
The tower Museum building is breathtaking from afar and even more as you get closer: massive granite panels, stained glass windows, angles, texture, presence. At first glance many people think it’s an ugly stone edifice. Ah, but look a bit closer and it is just magnificent.
John and I have been rewatching The West Wing as an end-of-the-day remedy for the dreadful news in the real world most days. Immersing ourselves in the OPC was much the same: we felt comforted, energized, inspired. But also very sad and dispirited to see the stark contrast of those years and where the US is now – and how much we have had stolen from us, all that we have lost.
Yet still, the Obamas’ refusal to give up, to have anything but hope and belief in the possibilities for change, and their unextinguishable love for and commitment to all people rose back up. And they challenge us to “bring change home,” to find ways small or large to build good in the world. If they can do it — with all the immense obstacles and provocations they have faced/still face — there’s absolutely no reason we can’t do our part, too.
There’s so much more I could say, but mostly I say go visit the Obama Presidential Center. Plan on a full day or more so you can really immerse yourself. And whether you go alone or with friends, you’ll find yourself in the company of other visitors and a staff that will all feel like family — a shared time of remembrance, closeness, hope and YES WE CAN.
Then we all drove back to Bullfrog Lake to pick up Max who had been hanging out by himself (and doing very well — no accidents!). Then we got back in the car and drove up to the Ukrainian village area of Chicago. We went to John’s favorite deli and got bread, varenyky (perogies), borscht, kielbasa to bring home. And dinner at our favorite restaurant, Tryzub (“trident”), where we had a wonderful supper out on the patio (Max was welcome!): Fried varenyky, dumpling varenyky ( potato and cheese, beef and beet, spinach, pork and sauerkraut), borscht, and cherry verenyky for dessert. And I tasted kvass for the first time — a rye bread, lightly fermented drink, non-alcoholic. I shall be getting more at home. It tastes kind of like ginger beer. You can also get kvass made from beets, honey, or white bread. Very very nutritional and yum.
We drove Karen and Mark back to their hotel and headed home to Bullfrog Lake. Chilled a bit, watched a West Wing episode, then off to sleep. A FINE DAY!
SUNDAY we returned to the OPC briefly for lunch in Tarafi’s Kitchen (high quality, affordable, delicious food inspired by Obama’s White House chef) and to shop in the store. Both places had huge lines the day before and we absolutely wanted to partake! So back we went!
It was a rainy day and our first idea of going on the Architecture Boat Tour on the river was doomed. Instead, John suggested we ride over to Oak Park where there is a Frank Lloyd Wright Historic district. This turned out to be a goldmine of wonderful houses — not just those of FLW, but other styles as well. All stately and beautiful. Unfortunately a house tour was not available today, but we really enjoyed driving by and admiring his vision and style. It was a perfect way to end our in-city Chicago time with our pals.
Then home we went for more Ukrainian fare from Saturday, a bit of West Wing, and called it a day before we hit the trail tomorrow.
We absolutely love Chicago (except the traffic and roads). Of all the big cities I’ve been to, it’s the one I’d like to come back to again and again. And maybe get a job at the OPC? Pure heart filling joy that would be!
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