Civic Education Gallery

The Civic Education Gallery of the McConnell-Chao Archives brings people in direct contact with archival material. With this engaging outreach program, the McConnell Center and the university hope to create a greater awareness and appreciation for primary sources and their importance in documenting the past to understand the present.

Take a tour

Visit the Civic Education Gallery of the U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell and Secretary Elaine L. Chao Archives. The gallery contains an interactive educational facility open to the public during regular business hours of Ekstrom Library. Built around the lives and careers of Sen. McConnell and Sec. Chao, the gallery is designed to educate visitors about American government, history and politics.

Where: Ekstrom Library, Lower Level

Tours: Visitors are welcome to tour the Civic Education Gallery on their own during the regular business hours of Ekstrom Library's East Wing (hours of operation).

Visitors can:

  • Take a computer-generated citizenship test
  • Watch and evaluate campaign commercials with noted experts Michael Barone and Jennifer Duffy
  • View an award-winning film on the history of the U.S. Senate narrated by Sen. McConnell
  • View "The Promise of America," an award-winning film outlining Elaine Chao's rise from immigrant to member of the President's Cabinet
  • Learn essential lessons from American history and our experience under the U.S. Constitution
  • See awards, commendations, documents and other artifacts from the long careers of two of the most consequential Americans of the last two decades

Educational Programming:

    • School Programs
    • Homeschool Programs
    • Special Events
    • Professional Development