Now open!
Last week, we marked the opening of the National Public Housing Museum with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and celebratory weekend of events.
Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate the power of place during the grand opening weekend of the National Public Housing Museum! We are deeply grateful to all of you—public housing residents, elected officials, advocates, storytellers, art lovers, historians, and neighbors—for your passionate support and community.
It was so exciting to open the doors and welcome you inside to explore the stories, art, and music across all of our exhibits and spaces. This new space would not be home without you.
Mayor Brandon JohnsonToday, we recognize more than just an opening of a museum. This is a preservation of vital history.
The ceremony
Lisa Yun LeeThe National Public Housing Museum is a clarion call—loud, clear and unwavering—to our nation of the importance of historical fact and truth, of the importance of preserving diverse people’s stories and sharing this history.
The scene
Francine WashingtonThis is a destination. This always will be, always has been.
Highlights
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Block Club Chicago -
dwell Why We Need the Nation’s First Public Housing Museum
“Opening this week in Chicago, the National Public Housing Museum wants to reinvigorate our interest in collective well-being by tackling dominant narratives—of crime, poverty, and eventual destruction—head on.”
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WBEZ The National Public Housing Museum opens this week in Chicago. Here’s a sneak peek.
“The museum tells a less familiar story about the history of public housing. ‘It was a decent, lovely place to live,’ a former resident says.”
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Chicago Tribune Housing Finds its Home
“On a gray Thursday on Chicago’s Near West Side, Rev. Marshall Hatch Sr. stepped through time.” In the Chicago Tribune, Hannah Edgar previews the National Public Housing Museum, “the only museum of its kind in the country.”
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Associated Press Unique Chicago museum showcases the history of public housing through its residents
“Set inside a once-dilapidated 1938 building on Chicago’s near West Side, a one-of-a-kind museum hopes to change the perception of public housing in America.“
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WTTW Chicago Tonight How Chicago’s New Public Housing Museum Took Direction From the Community
“A museum to commemorate the history and community of public housing has just opened in Chicago. But the National Public Housing Museum isn’t just a museum, there’s also a workforce program, recording studio, and actual affordable housing units, all on site.”
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Chicago Sun-Times These Walls Can Talk
“National Public Housing Museum is a living history awash in former residents’ stories and memorabilia.”
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NPR A National Public Housing Museum opens
“One of America’s first examples of public housing are the Jane Adams Homes in Chicago, built in 1938 and named for the trailblazing reformer. Fast forward to now, and there are some 1 million public housing units in the U.S., and the Adams Homes are getting a second act as a museum dedicated to telling the story of public housing.”
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NBC 5 Chicago National Public Housing Museum opens in Chicago
“The National Public Housing Museum is now open on the near West Side in Little Italy, featuring stories of hope and personal achievement.”
Stay connected
Historic Apartment Tours
Our guided and immersive Historic Apartment Tours transport visitors into the lived experiences of residents of the Jane Addams Homes between 1938 and 1975. Timed tickets are now available for this week and beyond.
Join us for an upcoming event
Become a part of our community and join us for one of our free programs.
Become a member today
Join our diverse community of public housing residents, advocates, art lovers, historians, and more.