More Than an Exhibit: The Living History of “Aquí en Chicago”
For too long, the sprawling history of Chicago has been told with significant gaps. But if you walk into the Chicago History Museum today, you’ll find a vibrant, bilingual, and community-driven answer to those silences: Aquí en Chicago.
This isn't just an exhibition about the past; it’s a love letter to the Latine communities that have shaped this city since the 1800s. More importantly, it is a testament to what happens when community organizers and youth demand to be seen. We are proud to be a part of this project and to continue to make history through our work at GPLXC.
From Protest to Preservation
The seeds of Aquí en Chicago weren’t planted by museum curators alone—they were planted by students. In 2019, students from the Instituto Justice and Leadership Academy (IJLA) in Pilsen protested the museum for its lack of Latine representation.
Rather than turning away, the curators leaned in. The resulting exhibit traces the threads of resistance and joy, from the 1966 Division Street Riots and the Young Lords to our work at Gage Park Latinx Council today.
Modern Social Movement: GPLXC & Antonio Santos
A key advisor in bringing this vision to life is Antonio Santos, Executive Director and co-founder of the Gage Park Latinx Council (GPLXC).
Antonio’s involvement in the Aquí en Chicago Community Advisory board spanned four years, ensuring that the exhibit didn't just focus on the "famous" parts of history but on the lived experiences of working-class and LGBTQ+ Latine Chicagoans.
Antonio Santos’s contributions highlight two vital themes in the exhibit:
Queer Visibility: As a queer activist and artist, Antonio has been a vocal advocate for ensuring that the history of Latine Chicago includes the stories of its LGBTQ+ members, who often face "double erasure."
Gage Park Pride: By bringing the work of GPLXC into a major cultural institution, Antonio helps bridge the gap between downtown museums and the neighborhoods of the South and West sides.
"This exhibition is proof that we are still here, still telling our stories, still creating, still building." — Dr. Ester N. Trujillo, Exhibition Advisor
What to Look For
When you visit, keep an eye out for:
GPLXC Bookshelf: A Tribute to the past, present, and future of our work in Gage Park welcomes guests as soon as they enter the exhibition.
Exhibition Guide: The exhibition guide available in the museum gift shop features a ten-page article co-authored by Antonio Santos.
The Digital Communities' Scrapbook: A living archive where visitors can contribute their own photos.
Protest Art: Original signs from the 2019 student protests that started this entire journey.
Neighborhood Artifacts: From a paletero’s cart to intricate Quinceañera gowns, the items on display are "treasures of the everyday."
Plan Your Visit
Where: Chicago History Museum (2nd Floor)
When: Exhibition is running through November 2026.
Admission: Included with general museum entry.
Experience: The exhibit is fully bilingual (English and Spanish).