The soon-to-open National Museum of Public Housing in Chicago, located in the last remaining building of the Jane Addams Homes, is the first cultural institution in the U.S. dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of public housing residents. A key exhibit, the Historic Apartments, allows visitors to step into recreated homes from 1938 to 1975, including one that evoked powerful memories for Pastor Marshall Hatch Sr. The museum showcases everyday objects, oral histories, art, and media to challenge stereotypes about public housing and highlight its role in American society.

A curated music collection by DJ Spinderella features artists who grew up in public housing, and the museum also offers educational and workforce programs. Executive Director Lisa Yun Lee envisions the museum as a space for dialogue on housing policy and justice, hoping to inspire efforts to restore lost public housing units. The museum opens with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a weekend of events.

Read more about the new museum here. Ravenswood Studio is proud to be a fabrication partner for the new museum.