The Springfield site would be the first National Park to tell the story of Ida B. Wells-Barnett. Her famous 1909 speech, "Lynching Our National Crime," addressed the tragic events in Springfield. The Springfield site holds objects of historic interest including the remaining foundations of Black homes (pictured below) that help document these tragic events and tell a fuller story of American history.

News.

• ​Springfield community sends support letter to President Biden .

Thanks to the leadership of the Springfield Branch of the NAACP and local community, the City of Springfield and St. John's Hospital have pledged to donate property to establish a 1908 Springfield Race Riot National Monument. The property includes the foundations of African American homes that were burned in the riot.
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• In 2018, Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) asked the NPS to conduct a Reconnaissance Survey. In 2019, NPS found that the site likely meets NPS criteria.
• In 2020, Congress passed bipartisan legislation to authorize a Special Resource Study (SRS). Department of Interior Secretary David Bernhardt added the site to the African American Civil Rights Network.
• In 2021, the Illinois Congressional delegation introduced bipartisan legislation to authorize a National Monument
• Following the Springfield NAACP public meeting in August 2022, the NPS found overwhelming public support for the Monument.
• Senators Duckwork and Durbin and Rep. Budzinski (D-IL) asked President Biden to proclaim the site as a National Monument. ​

Monument Supporters.

• ​American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois - Springfield Chapter
• Black Lives Matter Springfield
• Delta Sigma Theta - Springfield-Decatur Area Alumni Chapter
• Fever River Research
• Lincoln Presidential Foundation
• National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
• National Religious Partnership for the Environment
• Prince Hall Mason of Central Lodge #3
• Sierra Club
• Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum
• Coalition to Protect America's National Parks​