Aqui en Chicago

Please join us at Oak Park River Forest Museum on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at 7 pm for a program by Dr. Elena Gonzales, Chicago History Museum's Curator of Civic Engagement and Social Justice. Dr. Gonzales will discuss her work on Aquí en Chicago, an exhibit at the Chicago History Museum open until November 8, 2026, and other highlights from her career as a museum professional.

When students from Instituto Justice and Leadership Academy in Pilsen protested the Chicago History Museum in 2019 over the lack of Latino/a/e representation, they continued a long tradition of resistance against cultural erasure. From overt acts like protests for fair housing and education, to quieter ones like preserving family recipes, native languages, and spiritual practices, Chicago's Latino/a/e communities—present since the 1800s—have always fought to protect their heritage. Aquí en Chicago honors that legacy through art, photography, personal objects, and historical treasures, tracing how these communities have not only persisted but flourished across Chicago and its suburbs.