We look forward to welcoming you to the National Public Housing Museum. Located in the last remaining building of the historic Jane Addams Homes, our museum is committed to preserving the profound legacy of public housing and fostering a nuanced understanding of its impact on communities.
Admission is free with tickets required for the Historic Apartment Tours (coming soon).
View of the Jane Addams Homes, 1938. Courtesy of the Chicago History Museum.
Experience the texture and fabric of public housing throughout time by visiting three recreated historic apartments showcasing different families’ experiences at different moments in public housing history between 1938 and 1975.
Timed tickets required: coming soon.
Experience the texture and fabric of public housing throughout time by visiting three recreated historic apartments showcasing different families’ experiences at different moments in public housing history between 1938 and 1975. The intimate individual, family and community stories become the lens to understand large national public housing policies and their impact…
“What is an object that tells a story about your life and experiences in public housing?” History Lessons: Everyday Objects from Public Housing is a national effort to collect objects from public housing residents in diverse communities across the USA, and work with residents in storytelling and writing workshops to write their own labels…
As you walk down Taylor Street, meet one of our founders, Commissioner Deverra Beverly and learn about the changing neighborhood through the stories of past residents. These exhibits are accessible from the outside of the museum.
Beyond the uniform exteriors of public housing buildings, there are apartment units with unique, enthralling, and carefully curated interiors. We partnered with Jayah Arnett from My Projects Runway to collect family photos of public housing apartments. From these photos, we share their stories and select fabric to adorn the seats in our main gathering hub.
When American sitcom Good Times came out in 1974, it was the first time public housing residents saw themselves on mainstream television. We worked with Maurice Edwards, Cabrini Green Homes Community Development Corporation President, to ask current Cabrini Green residents to tell us their favorite episodes, clips of which are on view in our Lower Level gallery.
The National Public Housing Museum’s new space offers opportunities for our visitors and members to record oral histories, spaces of care, advocacy spaces for the Chicago community to gather.
Register as a member to reserve spaces!
Please stay tuned. We are working on virtual exhibitions that will make the museum more accessible to national visitors or for anyone who might not be able to join us in person.
All exhibitions are free.
Historic Apartment Tours are ticketed. Please see tour page for more information.
919 South Ada Street
Chicago, IL 60607
On the northeast corner of W. Taylor St. and S. Ada St.
Additional resources available at the front desk.
