National Monuments · Illinois
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
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Check the official park website for current access, conditions and visitor information.
Introduction
Background: 1
In August 1908, a large White mob attacked the Black community in Springfield, Illinois. Rioters destroyed homes and businesses and lynched two men. The event led to the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Today, archeological evidence gives a rare glimpse into a community devastated by the race riots of the early 20th century.
Geography
Places to explore
Things to Do: 4
View of part of the Acts of Intolerance monument outside the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Carol M. Highsmith Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument is a new national park located in Springfield, Illinois. No facilities or services are available currently at the site.
Visitors can experience other activities related to the 1908 race riots and civil rights history in Springfield. Note that with exception of Lincoln Home National Historic Site, these activities and organizations are not affiliated with the National Park Service. Learn about the park online . Take the self-guided 1908 Race Riot Walking Tour from the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau. View the Acts of Intolerance Monument outside the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. View the 1908 Race Riot Mural at HSHS St. John's Hospital Women & Children's Clinic, which is located inside the hospital lobby near the new park. Explore the Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum . View "The Springfield Race Massacre of 1908" exhibit on display. Visit Lincoln Home National Historic Site .
Springfield 1908 Race Riot stamp. NPS Passport to Your National Parks ® stamps for the national monument are available inside the visitor center located at the Lincoln Home National Historic Site.
Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument is a new national park located in Springfield, Illinois. No facilities or services are available currently at the site. Visitors can get a view of the site from the south end of the HSHS St. John's Hospital Women & Children's Clinic parking lot . While there isn’t physical evidence of the historic neighborhood visible, visitors can see the area that was heavily damaged by the Springfield 1908 Race Riot through the fence. Visit the Directions page for more trip planning information. Visitors can experience other activities related to the 1908 race riots and civil rights history in Springfield. Note that with exception of Lincoln Home National Historic Site, these activities and organizations are not affiliated with the National Park Service.
217-492-4241 This will direct your call to the Lincoln Home National Historic Site visitor center. Lincoln Home NHS staff will be able to assist you.
Visitor information
Sources & field notes
Source records (7)
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Background · Official park structured information. Open source ↗
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Designation · National Park System directory. Open source ↗
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State or territory · National Park System directory. Open source ↗
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- Factual reference data; source attribution retained.
Things to Do · National Park Service. Open source ↗
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- 2026-10-30
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- NPS-supplied text; NPS-authored U.S. government work is generally public domain, subject to third-party rights.
Physical Address · Official park structured information. Open source ↗
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Mailing Address · Official park structured information. Open source ↗
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Telephone · Official park structured information. Open source ↗
- Information date
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- 2026-10-30
- Evidence
- Single source; not independently corroborated.
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- NPS-supplied text; NPS-authored government work generally public domain, subject to third-party rights.