3 Hot Days in August: Commemorating the 1908 Springfield Race Riot

The eastern sky is lurid with the reflection of raging fires.

—Illinois State Journal, August 15, 1908

Image credit: Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Courtesy of the Lincoln Library

Join us for a three-day observance, “3 Hot Days in August,” to commemorate the 1908 Springfield Race Riot. Between August 14 and 16, 2025, organizations across the city of Springfield, Illinois, will host events, exhibits, presentations, and guided tours. All offer powerful opportunities to remember and reflect on the riot’s legacy in our lives today.

The National Park Service is privileged to work alongside the Springfield community. Participating organizations include the Springfield Branch NAACP, Lincoln Library, Springfield African American History Museum, HSHS St. John’s Hospital, Illinois State Museum, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Illinois State Museum Society, Fever River Research, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Center for Lincoln Studies University of Illinois-Springfield, Sangamon Experience University of Illinois-Springfield, and Hanson Professional Services, Inc.

What's Happening?

There are many ways to experience the commemoration! Explore a variety of programs, presentations, and special events below.

For more information about events at the National Monument, visit the calendar.

Thursday, August 14

9:30 AM – 1908 Race Riot Walking Tour by Illinois State Historic Sites
Old State Capitol State Historic Site
1 Old State Capitol Plaza, Springfield, IL

• The tour begins at the Lincoln statues at the corner of 6^th and Adams Streets, by the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices.

12:00 PM – Illinois State Museum
502 S. Spring Street, Springfield, IL

• Presentation by Doris Bailey: “Blood in Their Eyes and Hate in Their Hearts: The Springfield 1908 Race Riot.”

5:00 to 7:30 PM – Lincoln Library
326 S. 7th Street, Springfield, IL

• Opening Reception. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. To register, please visit the Opening Reception Registration Page.

• 5:30 PM - Welcome Remarks by Springfield Mayor Misty Buscher and Austin Randolph, President, Springfield Branch NAACP.

• Film screening of “Springfield Had No Shame.”

Featured Presentations:

• Dr. Brian Mitchell, UIS Lincoln Studies Center / Independent Scholar: “Exploring Black Springfield Beyond the Race Riot.”

• Anne Moseley, Director of Engagement and Curator of the UIS Sangamon Experience: “1908 Lesson Plans for Schools.”

Friday, August 15

9:30 AM – 1908 Race Riot Walking Tour by Illinois State Historic Sites
Old State Capitol State Historic Site
1 Old State Capitol Plaza, Springfield, IL

• The tour begins at the Lincoln statues at the corner of 6^th and Adams Streets, by the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices.

1:00 PM – 1908 Race Riot Walking Tour by Illinois State Historic Sites
Old State Capitol State Historic Site
1 Old State Capitol Plaza, Springfield, IL

• The tour begins at the Lincoln statues at the corner of 6^th and Adams Streets, by the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices.

2:00 to 4:00 PM – Lincoln Home National Historic Site
426 S. 7th Street, Springfield, IL

Featured Presentations:

• Floyd Mansberger, Director, Fever River Research: “Archaeology of Racial Hatred: An Update of the 1908 Springfield Race Riot Site.”

• Quinn Gilly, Park Ranger, Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument: “A Park in Progress: The Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument.”

7:30 PM – Luminary Observance at Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument
400 North 9^th Street, Springfield, IL

Join us for quiet remembrance and reflection at the site of homes destroyed by rioters in 1908. Luminaries will outline the approximate locations of these homes. Park Rangers will be available to answer questions about the site’s archaeology and the people who once called this place home.

Park at the HSHS St. John's Hospital Women and Children's Clinic parking garage, 500 North 9th Street, Springfield, IL. Then walk south to the National Monument.

7:45 PM - Welcoming remarks from Christopher Collins, Superintendent of Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument, Lincoln Home National Historic Site, and New Philadelphia National Historic Site.

Featured Speakers include:

• Joe Crain, Director of Public Programs and Community Engagement, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

• Dr. Brian Mitchell, University of Illinois-Springfield Lincoln Studies Center/Independent Scholar.

• Quinn Gilly, Park Ranger, Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument.

You are welcome to explore the luminaries and talk to Park Rangers until 9:00 PM.

Saturday, August 16

9:30 AM – 1908 Race Riot Walking Tour by Illinois State Historic Sites
Old State Capitol State Historic Site
1 Old State Capitol Plaza, Springfield, IL

• The tour begins at the Lincoln statues at the corner of 6^th and Adams Streets, by the Lincoln-Herndon Law Offices.

2:30 PM – Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum
1440 Monument Avenue, Springfield, IL.

Featured Presentation:

• Ken Page, President of the Springfield Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Stop by the Lincoln Home National Historic Site visitor center to craft your origami contribution. Rangers at the visitor center desk can give you more information about "3 Hot Days in August" events and the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument.

NPS Photo

Help us make a memorial!

You can contribute to this commemoration! Help us honor those affected by the 1908 riot by folding an origami bird or butterfly.

Your origami will join others on display at the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument as a symbol of collective memory and healing. Join us there on Friday, August 15^th, to see your origami displayed during a luminary observance.

Where can you craft your contribution?

Go to one of the crafting stations below. These stations will be available from Saturday, August 2nd through Tuesday, August 12th.

• Lincoln Home National Historic Site, 426 South 7^th Street. The origami station is available in the visitor center, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, open all days of the week.
• Lincoln Library Youth Services Department, 326 South 7^th Street (available during business hours).
• Illinois State Museum, 502 South Spring Street (available during business hours).

Origami crafting is made possible with support from the Lincoln Library, Illinois State Museum, Illinois State Museum Society, and National Park Service.