SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND)–In February, historic sites in Springfield will host various hikes, talks, tours, and films to celebrate Black History Month.
All events are free, open to everyone, and do not require reservations. These programs are organized in collaboration with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Illinois State Museum, Lincoln Library, the Illinois State Military Museum, and Fever River Research.
The Illinois State Museum’s Research and Collections Center will host “Black Lives in Springfield Part I: Work and Home Life” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20 and “Black Lives in Springfield Part II: Military Service” at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26.
Explore unique personal items from the 10th Street archaeological dig and learn about the lives of Black residents in Springfield around the early 1900s. This is the first of two programs that will share stories of the strong Black community in Springfield.
The second program will highlight the brave Black citizens who served in the military for their country.
TheLincoln Library will host the short film “Langston Hughes and Vachel Lindsay” by local video producer Rich Saal at noon Friday, Feb. 21 and Friday, Feb. 28 in the multipurpose room. An additional showing will take place at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24 in the Carnegie Room.
The 1908 Race Riot Walking Tours begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22 and Friday, Feb. 28 at the Lincoln statues at Sixth and Adams streets. The walking tour will take visitors through downtown Springfield near the Old State Capitol to learn about the destruction that took place in 1908.
Black History Cemetery Hikes begin at the Lincoln Tomb State Historic Site at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 1 and Sunday, March 2 in Springfield’s historic Oak Ridge Cemetery. The hikes focus on Springfield’s Black community.
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