How do you commemorate the nation’s first Black president? A 19.3-acre, $850 million complex more than a decade in the making is a start.
Today, the Obama Presidential Center opens to the public — and if the 225-foot-tall “Obamalisk” wasn’t an indication, it’s nothing like your average presidential library. Inside, visitors can eat the Obama Family Chili and Mrs. Robinson’s Red Rice, take in incredible views of the city from the Sky Room, and explore the presidential museum.
A few highlights: a handful of Michelle Obama’s iconic looks; a replica of the Obama Oval Office and Resolute Desk (with his beloved Blackberry, no less); what Barack called “probably my favorite exhibit in the entire place”; and some of the 28 original artworks commissioned by the couple, including their first official portrait together. All of which is in addition to a fruit and vegetable garden, an NBA-regulation-size basketball court, a winter sledding hill (a non-negotiable for the former first lady), and a new Chicago Public Library branch — with thousands of books chosen by the Obamas and reading chairs similar to the ones in their home.
Of course, you can’t open a library without a proper celebration first. Yesterday, the Obamas kicked things off with a star-studded dedication ceremony attended by some of Hollywood’s biggest names (see: Quinta Brunson, Oprah Winfrey, and Stephen Colbert, who nodded to one of Barack’s most controversial fashion choices), a very grown-up Malia and Sasha Obama, and (almost) every living president — including George W. Bush, who did, in fact, give Michelle another Altoid.
One person not in attendance? President Donald Trump, who (perhaps unsurprisingly) didn’t make the invite list. And while the celebration included performances by the likes of John Legend, Bruce Springsteen, and Jennifer Hudson (consider this our official petition to have her sing the national anthem at every major event), it was Michelle who really brought the house down with a speech so moving, Barack joked, “I’m gonna look down” before it even really began. Barack, we get it.