Chicago History Museum Addresses Latin American Representation with New Exhibit

The Chicago History Museum responded to student protests over a lack of Latin American representation by launching a temporary exhibit called Aqui en Chicago. Focused on the enduring presence of Latine communities in the city, this exhibit will run until November 8. Elena Gonzales, curator of civic engagement and social justice at the museum, spearheaded the project.

On October 6, Gonzales will discuss the exhibit’s creation at the Oak Park River Forest Museum. The exhibit originated after students from the Instituto Justice and Leadership Academy identified gaps in the museum’s 20-year-old Chicago history exhibition, Chicago: Crossroads of America. These students, who visited in 2019, found that a third of the city was not represented and worked to address this deficiency through protests, letter-writing, and dialogues with community leaders.

The exhibition pronounces the enduring presence of Latine communities in Chicago for the past 170 years, Gonzales stated. It showcases diverse stories highlighting social justice efforts, cultural practices, and more.

The exhibit features a range of activities, including protests, cultural arts, and culinary traditions. Local muralist Cecilia Beaven designed the exhibit’s vibrant color palette, contributing to its dynamic look. Her murals stylize the exhibit space, celebrating both the students who initiated the project and the indigenous roots of Chicago’s diverse communities.

Gonzales, leading the project, collaborated with 43 advisers, 30 interns, and various storytellers and donors. She selected most objects and wrote the majority of the exhibit’s text from resources collected within the community and the museum’s collection. The exhibit also includes items like a Paleta cart from Reina de Sabores Paleteria and a cooler from the iconic street vendor known as The Tamale Guy.

Visitors to Aqui en Chicago can expect to learn about the significant presence and history of the city’s Latine communities. Gonzales aims for attendees to leave with a deeper understanding of these narratives. Gonzales will further discuss this and other career highlights during her talk on October 6 at the Oak Park River Forest Museum. Tickets are priced at $5 for local residents, $7 for nonresidents, and $3 for students. More details can be found at oprfmuseum.org/events/aqui-en-chicago.

Reporter Myrna Petlicki provided coverage for Pioneer Press.