“This is the preservation of vital history stories. When oppressive regimes come in, they try to eliminate history and our culture. Because if you can take away someone’s story, you can take away your existence. So we are building not just stories, but a more just and ethical society,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson.
The museum’s foundation wasn’t just poured in concrete. It was laid in memory, care, and community. Organizers made it a point to center people with lived experience in public housing at every stage of the process.
“This museum was built by hundreds of dedicated people who have made it a reality,” said Sunny Fischer, Co-Founder and Board Chair. “They shared their stories, and they patiently provided their labor and love and support over the last 18 years. As a Site of Conscience, we join museums around the world committed to telling complicated and difficult stories, preserving history, and imagining a more just future.”
Francine Washington, who chairs the Central Advisory Committee for the Chicago Housing Authority and serves on the museum’s board, emphasized the deeper purpose behind the project.
