Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Park District Superintendent Michael P. Kelly today opened the landmark outdoor event space at the DuSable Museum of African American History. Renovations were made to the 15,000 lot along the eastern edge of the historic Roundhouse building.

“Since its founding in 1961 by Dr. Margaret Burroughs, the DuSable Museum has been a beacon of culture and history for Chicagoans and visitors from around the world,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “This new outdoor space alongside Daniel Burnham’s Roundhouse building provides a one-of-a-kind destination for celebrations and special occasions on Chicago’s developing south side.”

Renovations along the eastern edge of the Roundhouse building transformed an asphalt lot into a venue for private celebrations and special events in Washington Park. Construction included rebuilding the stairs at the Roundhouse basement, installing permeable pavers, landscaping, and building ornamental fencing along the south border.

“As the nation’s oldest independent African American history museum, DuSable has always served as a gathering place for members of the community. This new event space will provide an additional venue for museum visitors and residents of our community – and indeed for the entire city of Chicago to celebrate on the south side,” said DuSable Museum of African American History President & CEO, Perri L. Irmer. “This project reinforces DuSable’s mission to promote understanding and inspire appreciation of the achievements of African Americans and the education of all people through black history, art and culture.”

Funding was provided by the City of Chicago and the Chicago Park District. Renovations on the project began in July 2017.

“The Chicago Park District is proud to work with the DuSable Museum and to transform a once vacant lot into a mainstay for the south side community,” said Chicago Park District Superintendent Michael P. Kelly. “The event space at DuSable is an unparalleled venue to celebrate special occasions in Washington Park.”

This venue is one of many public and private investments that have strengthened Chicago’s south side under the Mayor Emanuel’s leadership, and include the XS Tennis Village in Washington Park and senior housing at the St. Edmunds Tower Annex. The City of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools made a significant investment to open Walter H. Dyett High School, a neighborhood high school focused on arts education that prepares students for college and careers.

There have been significant improvements to public transportation and access to the lakefront on the south side. Mayor Emanuel recently opened the first section of the Lakefront Trail Separation project from 31st Street to 41st Street, and broke ground on the section from 41st Street to 55th Street. A replacement pedestrian bridge at 35th Street opened in 2016, and the second of five pedestrian and bike bridge projects is in construction at 41st Street over South Lake Shore Drive. CDOT is completing engineering plans for the replacement of the deteriorating, non-ADA compliant pedestrian bridge at 43rd Street. CTA also recently announced the renovation of the Garfield Station along the Green Line.

The DuSable space is also a key component in Building on Burnham, the Mayor's comprehensive plan to invest in parks, the Lakefront, the Chicago River and other natural areas in neighborhoods across the city. This plan follows the Mayor’s successful expansion of Chicago’s park system and more than $800 million in capital investment from neighborhoods and private sources.

DuSable and the City of Chicago have a longstanding partnership. The museum was the host site for elected officials, faith-based leaders, students, community organizers and residents from across the City to launch the One Chicago Campaign. The campaign is the visual depiction of Chicago’s value promise that everyone is welcome in this City no matter their race, religion, background or sexual orientation. DuSable will now host a Chicago Police Department for a cultural awareness training curriculum. As part of the Mayor’s commitment to police reform and as outlined in the Superintendent’s Next Steps for Reform released earlier this year, this is a demonstration of a commitment to comprehensive overhaul of training for new recruits that reflects the city’s values.

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About The DuSable Museum of African American History
The DuSable Museum of African American History is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the country. Our mission is to promote understanding and inspire appreciation of the achievements, contributions and experiences of African American history, culture and art. The DuSable Museum is a Smithsonian Institution Affiliate. For more information on the Museum and its programs, please call 773-947-0600 or visit us at www.dusablemuseum.org. The DuSable Museum of African American History gratefully acknowledges the Chicago Park District’s partnership and also thanks United Airlines, the official airline of the DuSable Museum, for its support.