Exploring the Fusion of History and Modernity: The National Public Housing Museum in Chicago
The National Public Housing Museum in Chicago stands as a testament to the resilience and spirit of public housing residents, with a particular focus on the historic Jane Addams Homes. Located on the site of this significant public housing development, the museum offers visitors an immersive experience into the diverse lives of families who once called these apartments home [1].
The museum's exhibitions delve into the cultural and historical contexts of public housing, preserving and communicating the style, culture, and lived experiences within these communities [1]. Artifacts from the Jane Addams Homes are displayed, providing a tangible connection to the past. Public art, such as Edgar Miller’s "Animal Court" sculpture and a mural, *ReCreation*, celebrate civic initiatives born from public housing communities [1].
Music, curated by DJ Spinderella, and media like clips from the 1974 sitcom *Good Times* offer a glimpse into the entertainment that shaped public housing life [1]. The museum also houses Elizabeth Magie's The Landlord's Game, a board game designed to protest monopolies and big businesses, serving as an example of creative resistance against capitalism [1].
Activism is integral to the museum's mission, engaging visitors with stories of displacement and resilience, and hosting events such as poetry workshops and discussions on land, stewardship, and economic opportunity [3]. The museum's programs encourage solidarity and reflection on ongoing struggles tied to public housing and racial equality [3].
The museum also connects historical public housing stories to contemporary issues. For instance, it partners with the Chicago Housing Authority and Related Midwest to offer affordable residences, linking its historical activism to present-day housing solutions [4].
The museum hosts rotating exhibitions like 'Living in the Shade', which examines the role of open space in public housing environments and its evolution through decades of New York City Housing Authority developments [2]. This highlights broader public housing themes beyond Chicago, emphasizing community wellbeing and design considerations.
In addition, the museum features the Empowerment Hub and Cultural Workforce Development Program, which aim to address systemic and structural barriers to education, training, and entrepreneurship [2]. The Corner Store Co-op serves as an informal site for visitors and community members to learn and share the history and present-day advocacy of cooperatives. Buttons at the Corner Store Co-op read "abolish rent" and "public housing is a human right," allowing people to take the message of housing justice out the door with them [1].
The museum's exhibits include a room dedicated to a specific case study of the Millers River Apartments in Cambridge, Massachusetts [1]. Personal items donated by residents, such as those in the 'History Lessons: Everyday Objects from Public Housing' exhibition, offer intimate glimpses into the lives of public housing residents [1].
Notable donations to the museum include a picture of Sonia Sotomayer's graduation from the Bronxdale Houses and a record of the song "Keep on Loving You", donated by LaTonya Floyd in memory of her late brother George Floyd [1].
The Jane Addams Homes, named after Jane Addams, an activist who co-founded the most extensive settlement houses in the United States, were Chicago's first public housing complexes, built following the 1937 Housing Act [1]. Through complicated legal maneuvers, the CHA was able to maintain the Millers Rivers Apartments as affordable housing [1].
In conclusion, the National Public Housing Museum documents and interprets the social, cultural, and political histories of public housing, especially the Jane Addams Homes, through recreated living spaces, curated artifacts, public art, music, historical media, and community-centered activism. It situates these stories within ongoing conversations about housing justice and community empowerment [1][2][3][4].
- The museum's exhibits feature a room dedicated to the Millers River Apartments in Cambridge, Massachusetts, complemented by personal items donated by residents, providing intimate glimpses into the lives of public housing residents.
- Notable donations to the museum include a picture of Sonia Sotomayer's graduation from the Bronxdale Houses and a record of the song "Keep on Loving You", donated by LaTonya Floyd in memory of her late brother George Floyd.
- The museum hosts rotating exhibitions like 'Living in the Shade', which examines the role of open space in public housing environments and its evolution through decades of New York City Housing Authority developments, emphasizing community wellbeing and design considerations.
- The museum features the Empowerment Hub and Cultural Workforce Development Program, which aim to address systemic and structural barriers to education, training, and entrepreneurship in home-and-garden settings, focusing on lifestyles and news related to these initiatives.
