The Springfield and Central Illinois African-American History Museum is a museum of
African-American history
African-American history began with the arrival of Africans to North America in the 16th and 17th centuries. Former Spanish slaves who had been freed by Francis Drake arrived aboard the Golden Hind at New Albion in California in 1579. The ...
and culture located in
Springfield
Springfield may refer to:
* Springfield (toponym), the place name in general
Places and locations Australia
* Springfield, New South Wales (Central Coast)
* Springfield, New South Wales (Snowy Monaro Regional Council)
* Springfield, Queenslan ...
in the U.S. state of
Illinois
Illinois ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolita ...
. The museum was founded in 2012 by historical educator Douglas King, and moved to a permanent location adjacent to Springfield's
Oak Ridge Cemetery
Oak Ridge Cemetery is an American cemetery in Springfield, Illinois.
The Lincoln Tomb, where Abraham Lincoln, his wife and all but one of their children lie, is here, as are the graves of other prominent Illinois figures. Thus, it is the second-m ...
in March 2016. The history museum is located in the former home of the
Museum of Funeral Customs
The Museum of Funeral Customs was located at 1440 Monument Ave. in Springfield, Illinois, US. It featured exhibits dealing with American funerary and mourning customs. The museum was near Oak Ridge Cemetery, the site of Abraham Lincoln's tomb. ...
, which closed permanently in 2009.
The museum celebrates the African-American history of Central Illinois. Exhibits and presentations include the presence of
quasi-legal slavery in pioneer Springfield starting in 1819, the founding of the Pike County free village of
New Philadelphia in 1836, and the construction of the ''
Lincoln Colored Old Folks and Orphans Home'' in 1904. The museum and its volunteers have collected more than 700 oral histories of Central Illinoisans. The museum is backed and supported by the Springfield African American History Foundation.
The museum is located at 1440 Monument Avenue, Springfield, Ill.
See also
*
List of museums focused on African Americans
This is a list of museums in the United States whose primary focus is on African American culture and history. Such museums are commonly known as African American museums. According to scholar Raymond Doswell, an African American museum is "an ...
References
External links
*Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museu
Official site
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2012 establishments in Illinois
African-American museums in Illinois
Museums in Springfield, Illinois