Attend the opening reception for the exhibit PRESERVING THE HERITAGE OF THE BLACK PANTHER PARTY IN ILLINOIS on Wednesday, August 7, from 6:00-9:00pm.

The Illinois Chapter of the Black Panther Party, which began its journey during the tumultuous Democratic Convention of 1968, has made history once again. As the convention returns to Chicago, the Illinois Chapter is the first chapter of the Black Panther Party to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Thematic Listing of the Black Panther Party in Illinois was approved by the state of Illinois and the National Park Service and added to the Register in December 2023. Founded in 1966 by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale, the Black Panther Party helped usher in the Black Power Movement and self-reliance and was responsible for extensive changes in legislation.

Curated by Leila Wills, the exhibit captures the politics and programs of the Black Panther Party and is a testament to the chapter's enduring legacy.