Chicago History Museum Responds to Protest with Aquí en Chicago Exhibit

When student groups highlighted the lack of Latin American representation at the Chicago History Museum, the institution took action by launching a new temporary exhibit named ‘Aquí en Chicago.’ Curator Elena Gonzales, who specializes in civic engagement and social justice, will discuss the creation of this exhibit at the Oak Park River Forest Museum on October 6 at 7 p.m.

Elena Gonzales recalls a visit by high school students from the Instituto Justice and Leadership Academy, an alternative school in Pilsen, in 2019. They explored the ‘Chicago: Crossroads of America’ exhibition, and felt it ignored a significant portion of the city’s population. These students spent the semester protesting to amend the historical narrative presented by the museum.

Their activism involved writing letters and conversing with local community and museum leaders. However, the pandemic caused a temporary halt in activities. Gonzales joined the project in 2021, working alongside the students and their identified advisers to revive the exhibit initiative.

‘Aquí en Chicago’ aims to emphasize the 170-year presence of Latine communities in Chicago. It features a diverse array of stories showcasing social justice efforts such as protests, walkouts, sit-ins, and cultural practices including arts, spiritual activities, and culinary traditions.

Gonzales describes the exhibition as vibrant and youth-oriented, thanks to input from local muralist Cecilia Beaven, who tailored the color palette and created captivating murals. These elements acknowledge the student-driven nature of the project and the indigenous heritage of the city’s Latin American population.

Throughout the exhibit’s development, Gonzales worked intimately with advisers, interns, storytellers, and donors, choosing objects and writing texts. The exhibit’s items were sourced from the local community and the museum’s collection, supplemented by generous loan contributions.

A standout piece is a Paleta cart donated by Reina de Sabores Paleteria. This iconic cooler connects visitors with their surroundings, evoking familiar memories from its 35-year journey throughout the city.

Another notable object is a red cooler on loan from a chef known as The Tamale Guy, a fixture in north side bars for decades.

The exhibit, running through November 8, aspires to educate visitors on the enduring and pervasive presence of Chicago’s Latine community. Gonzales’ talk on October 6 will cover the exhibit and her career highlights. For more details, visit oprfmuseum.org/events/aqui-en-chicago. Admission is $5 for residents, $7 for nonresidents, and $3 for students aged 7 and up.