Chicago May Vie with Hawaii for Obama Presidential Library

Competition appears to be growing between universities hoping to become the site of Barack Obama’s presidential library. A working group at the University of Hawaii’s main campus in Honolulu is considering whether or not the university should make a formal bid. Meanwhile, the University of Chicago, located in the city where the president’s political career began, showed signs of interest a year ago but is keeping a low profile.

According to a November 15 Associated Press report, the University of Hawaii is “well into early preparations,” which have included preliminary searches for potential sites, talks with National Archives officials, and deliberations on what if any new academic center might accompany a library and museum for the Hawaii-born president.

“We’re trying to present the president with some choices,” Robert Perkinson said in a November 29 Chicago Tribune story. An American studies professor at the University of Hawaii, Perkinson is leading the working group to decide whether the university should make a formal bid. He revealed, however, that the Hawaii bid hinges on whether the president wins a second term, according to a December 1 Hispanic Business News story.

Perkinson told MSNBC that “this is something that presidents typically think about toward the end of their presidency, and Obama hopefully is still toward the beginning of his presidency. So it’s not surprising that he doesn’t want to think about it. But those of us who are interested in bidding, we have to think about it a lot earlier than he does.”

Despite the enthusiasm in Hawaii, “some observers think the U. of C. is most apt to win an Obama library,” according to the Tribune. The White House had no comment.

There currently are 13 presidential libraries. Groundbreaking for the 14th, George W. Bush’s facility at Southern Methodist University in Dallas took place on November 16; the design was revealed last year. An unofficial fan site has already been established for the Barack Obama Presidential Library and Museum, regardless of where it will be built.

American Libraries, Tue, 11/30/2010 - 16:45

Comments

Presidential Library in Hawaii

President Obama may have done some of his development in Chicago. But his passions were born and raised in Hawaii. Hawaii is where his heart is and where he learned some life’s most important lessons from his Grandmother who raised him. If Chicago is so dear to him when was was the last time he and Michelle have spent the Holidays in Chicago? I wonder why that is!

Submitted by Proud Hawaii Born Son (not verified) on Fri, 11/30/2012 - 02:36.

Obama Presidential Library

Chicago is absolutely the most natural and logical location, and without question the world-class University of Chicago should be the academic host. The President taught at the U of C. The First Lady grew up in the city. If the Hyde Park campus doesn’t have enough prime real estate available, surely there are other fine sites to choose from. My personal favorite is the former Michael Reese Hospital site on the South Side lakefront between Hyde Park and the Loop, close to innumerable amenities and already-popular destinations for out-of-town guests (McCormick Place, Soldier Field, the lakefront Museum Campus and nearby DuSable Museum of African American History, magnificent parks and beaches, convenient freeways and public transportation, thousands of hotel rooms, etc.). There’s a reason why Chicago chose this for its (alas, ill-fated) Olympics bid: This location is A+++. I can’t imagine a better way for Chicago to pay thankful tribute in perpetuity to its most illustrious son than to make this the site of the Barack Obama Presidential Library.

Submitted by Biased Chicago Native (not verified) on Thu, 11/22/2012 - 13:41.