Jean Baptiste Pointe DuSable, a Haitian-born entrepreneur, arrived in Checagou (Chicago) around 1775 with his wife Kitihawa and family to establish a trading post at the confluence of the Chicago River and Lake Michigan.
Over 200 years later, a site bordered by similar geography will be dedicated as a public park in DuSable's honor; an overdue acknowledgement to the city’s first non-native resident. "Parallel Histories" explores the past, present, and future stories of DuSable and the land that birthed a modern metropolis during the 2023 Chicago Architecture Biennial.
During DuSable’s time in Chicago he amassed significant wealth and assets. On May 7, 1800 DuSable sold his buildings, livestock, and household goods. Sale records show a sophisticated enterprise that DuSable operated along the banks of the Chicago River.
"Parallel Histories" brings DuSable’s estate back to life; re-interpreted as pavilions dotting the future DuSable Park’s untouched landscape. This call and response between the past and present celebrate DuSable's story and builds momentum for Chicago’s newest civic space.
"Parallel Histories" is designed by Carol Ross Barney, and collaborators Ryan Gann and the DuSable Park Design Alliance. In 2022, the Chicago Park District selected the DuSable Park Design Alliance (DPDA) to bring DuSable Park to Life. DPDA is founded, owned, and led by an African American, woman-owned architectural design firm (Brook Architecture) and a woman-owned architecture, landscape architecture, and urban design studio (Ross Barney Architects).
"This is a Rehearsal" the title of the Chicago Architecture Biennial (CAB 5), and curated by the Floating Museum, explores how contemporary environmental, political, and economic issues are shared across national boundaries but are addressed differently around the world through art, architecture, infrastructure, and civic participation.
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