All presidents since Herbert Hoover have established libraries to house their presidential archives and museums. Barack Obama’s will be situated on Chicago’s South Side, and his presidential center will focus on civic engagement and training new generations of leaders around the world—a legacy befitting Obama’s career and historic presidency. Like many of his predecessors, President Obama’s plans have met the inevitable obstacles that come with any major complex undertaking, but the president should take heart from the lessons of history in creating previous presidential libraries.
Barbara Perry
