Chicago History Museum Celebrates the Reopening of “Facing Freedom” Exhibit and the Raby Foundation’s Role (Continued)

On Friday, July 3, 2026, the Chicago History Museum welcomed its members for an exclusive evening preview of the newly refreshed Facing Freedom exhibition, giving guests a first look at the reimagined galleries before they opened to the public. The event, held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Museum’s Lincoln Park location, offered members the rare opportunity to explore the updated exhibition, mingle with fellow history enthusiasts, and hear directly from the team who brought the refresh to life — all while enjoying refreshments in celebration of the occasion.
A Reimagined Look at an Enduring Exhibition

Originally opened in 2010, Facing Freedom has long asked visitors to grapple with a central question: what does it mean to be free? The refreshed exhibition builds on that legacy, updating its stories and interactive features to more fully reflect the diverse communities that have shaped Chicago and driven meaningful change throughout the nation’s history. Guests at the preview were among the first to experience two brand-new stories added to the exhibition, along with eight updated interactive experiences now presented in both English and Spanish.
The evening’s program included special presentations from key Museum staff who played a vital role in the exhibition’s transformation, including Peter T. Alter, the Gary T. Johnson Chief Historian and Director of the Studs Terkel Center for Oral History, who also served as curator of the reimagined exhibition. Alter and his colleagues offered guests behind-the-scenes insight into the research, collaboration, and vision that shaped the refresh.

The evening was made possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of the Guild of the Chicago History Museum, whose support of the Facing Freedom refresh helped bring the project to fruition.

Honoring the Legacy of Al Raby
Among the many individuals and organizations recognized for their contributions to Facing Freedom was the Raby Foundation, along with Kathy Raby and Katanya Raby. Their support has helped ensure that the story of Al Raby — the influential Chicago civil rights leader and educator — continues to be told within the Museum’s walls.

A dedication wall inside the exhibition credits the curators, designers, and supporters who made Facing Freedom possible — including the Al Raby Foundation, Kathy and Katanya Raby, and other individuals whose contributions helped shape the exhibition’s stories.
During the preview, the Raby family’s connection to the exhibition took center stage in a particularly meaningful moment. Peter Alter greeted Leesa Raby, Kathy Raby, and Katanya Raby at the exhibit and personally guided them through several installations highlighting Al Raby’s work and legacy. Al Raby’s contributions to Chicago’s civil rights movement are currently featured across four separate exhibits within Facing Freedom — a testament to the breadth of his impact on the city’s history. Looking ahead, the Museum also has plans for an additional display: a two-sided blackboard installation designed to showcase even more of his legacy for future visitors.

Pictured left to right: Leesa Raby, Kathy Raby, Peter Alter, and Katanya Raby pause in front of one of the exhibit panels highlighting the civil rights movement during the July 3 preview night.

A Celebration for the Museum Community
Beyond the formal presentations, the preview night gave CHM members time to explore Facing Freedom and the Museum’s other exhibitions at their own pace, connect with fellow supporters, and celebrate the reopening together. The evening served as a fitting kickoff to a milestone weekend for the Museum, with Facing Freedom officially reopening to the public on July 4, 2026, as part of the Museum’s “US at 250: Civic Action in Chicago” initiative marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

For families like the Rabys, whose personal history is now woven into the fabric of the exhibition, the evening was more than a preview — it was a celebration of how one Chicagoan’s fight for justice continues to inform the way the city understands freedom today.