Things To Do

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 central Springfield, Illinois. No facilities or services are available. 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 “Badlands” neighborhood visible, visitors can see the area that was heavily damaged by the Springfield 1908 Race Riot through the fence. Visit this website's Directions page for 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.

• Learn about the park online.
• Take the 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 near the new park.
• Explore the Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum.
• Visit Lincoln Home National Historic Site.