Colliding Eras: The National Museum of Public Housing, a Historic Blend in Chicago
The National Public Housing Museum in Chicago: A Vibrant Blend of History and Activism
The National Public Housing Museum, located in Chicago, is a unique institution that addresses systemic and structural barriers to education, training, and entrepreneurship. Situated on the site of the historic Jane Addams Homes, Chicago's first public housing complexes, the museum is a testament to the resilience and stories of public housing residents.
The museum's exhibits are a rich tapestry of historical artifacts, sculptures, murals, music, and multimedia presentations. One of the current exhibits, "Living in the Shade: Open Space and Public Housing," runs from July 23 to November 12, 2025. This exhibit explores how open spaces like lawns, gardens, paved paths, play areas, and public art contribute to creating healthier, more livable communities for public housing residents. The exhibit uses architectural models, photographs, site plans, and community testimonials to show the evolution of public housing landscapes over 90 years, focusing particularly on the New York City Housing Authority’s developments, while drawing broader connections to public housing experiences nationwide.
The museum also features preserved apartments, such as those from the Jane Addams Homes, sharing stories of families impacted by public housing policies and struggles including civil rights issues and environmental racism. One exhibit restores the apartment of the Turovitz household, a Jewish family that moved in 1938. An adjacent room tells the story of redlining and other racist housing policies leading to a segregated Chicago in the 1950s.
The museum's goal is to share the stories of public housing residents and plan for future civil change. It works directly with public housing residents to give a voice to those who have historically been silenced by federal and state governments. The museum's activism aspect emphasizes community storytelling, preservation, and the fight for equitable housing policies through art, dialogue, and public engagement.
The museum's Corner Store Co-op serves as an informal site for visitors and community members to learn about cooperatives and public housing residents' contributions to a solidarity economy ecosystem. The Co-op sells products like posters, art, shirts, bags, and more from small businesses and cooperatives owned by public housing residents. The Co-op also sells buttons that read "abolish rent" and "public housing is a human right," allowing people to take the message of housing justice out the door with them.
On the walls of the Empowerment Hub, there are bold posters by Drawnversation, urging viewers to demand the impossible and keep fighting for change. The Empowerment Hub addresses systemic and structural barriers to education, training, and entrepreneurship. Notable figures like Jurist Sonia Sotomayer have donated items to the museum, such as a picture of her graduation in the Bronxdale Houses.
The museum also pays tribute to recent events, such as the tragic death of George Floyd. A record of the song "Keep on Loving You" is presented to LaTonya Floyd in memory of her late brother.
In sum, the National Public Housing Museum in Chicago is a vibrant space blending historical exhibitions with resident-led activism to tell the complex story of public housing in the U.S., highlighting both challenges and community resilience. The "Living in the Shade" exhibit is a current focal point that spotlights how thoughtfully designed open spaces serve as crucial elements of public housing life and identity.
- The museum's current exhibit, "Living in the Shade: Open Space and Public Housing," features a blend of historical artifacts, photographs, and community testimonials, highlighting the significance of open spaces in public housing communities.
- The museum's Corner Store Co-op is an informal space where visitors can learn about cooperatives and public housing residents' contributions to a solidarity economy ecosystem, with products available for purchase from these communities.
- Notably, the museum showcases the story of LaTonya Floyd, whose late brother George Floyd's tragic death is remembered with a presentation of the song "Keep on Loving You."
- In addition to its historical exhibits, the National Public Housing Museum in Chicago also emphasizes resident-led activism, focusing on community storytelling, preservation, and the fight for equitable housing policies through art, dialogue, and public engagement.
