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Our mission is to preserve, promote, and propel the right of all people to a place where they can live and prosper—a place to call home.

    History Lessons

    Museum visitors look at a midcentury high school letterman sweater

    Everyday Objects from Public Housing

    Ned Lufrano’s high school basketball sweater. Photo by Joe Nolasco.

    Exhibition

    • Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation Gallery, 1st Floor

    • Free

    “What is an object that tells a story of home in public housing?”

    Each object in this exhibition shares the experiences of a specific person—stories of home filled with hopes, delights, heartbreak, and dreams deferred. Alongside the personal objects are labels written by residents, developed in storytelling and writing workshops. Together, these diverse stories span the entire history of public housing in the United States.

    History Lessons is an ongoing project, and objects regularly rotate as the National Public Housing Museum continues to work with communities across the country to record stories of residents and collect objects. The current iteration highlights the stories of residents from Chicago, New York, Houston, and Osage Nation.

    About

    Thanks to writers Audrey Petty, Nate Marshall, Richard Cahan, and Elise Paschen who facilitated workshops with residents. 

    Selected objects

    A yellow rotary phone in a display case
    “Our cord was so long that we could take the phone from room to room…” Photo by Percy Ollie Jr. of Ollie Photography, Inc.
    A shawl with flowers and long fringe displayed in a gallery
    “Once again I wrap myself in my shawl…” Photo by Ryan Barayuga.
    A garden hose displayed on a gallery wall
    “We don’t have that sense of community anymore…” Photo by Davon Clark.
    A tall case displaying Osage regalia
    “But his mind was always on the Dance, the I’n Lo’n Schka…” Photo by Ryan Barayuga.
    A championship boxing belt in a display case
    “When I won, I wanted more…” Photo by Joe Nolasco.

    Explore additional objects and stories on our free digital guide, available through Bloomberg Connects.

    Support

    History Lessons was made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities through its initiative A More Perfect Union and by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

    Logo for the Institute of Museum and Library Services

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