Honoring History: National Monument Established to Remember a Dark Past and Inspire Change
The Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument commemorates the tragic events of 1908 and invites visitors to reflect on the enduring impact of racism in America.
On August 16, 2024, President Joe Biden issued a proclamation establishing the 1908 Springfield Race Riot Site as a national monument. This new national monument commemorates the 1908 race riot in Springfield, Illinois, where racial violence led to the deaths of several Black residents and the destruction of Black-owned homes and businesses. The riot was a pivotal event that contributed to the founding of the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), a key organization in the civil rights movement.
RDG Planning & Design is honored to have been involved in conceptual designs that helped the site attain national monument status. A result of collaboration between RDG, Hanson Professional Services Inc., local historians and community leaders, these efforts reflect a deep commitment to preserving the memory of the lives lost and the significant impact this event had on the civil rights movement in the United States. The 1908 Springfield Race Riot memorial was designed as a place of reflection and learning, incorporating elements that highlight the site's historical significance.
"Our collective goal was to create a space that not only remembers the victims but also educates visitors on the importance of this event in shaping our nation's history," said RDG Landscape Architect and Senior Partner Jonathan Martin, PLA, ASLA. "Working with local leaders and in partnership with Hanson Professional Services, our aim was to design a reflective and educational memorial that allows for personal contemplation while also providing context for the broader historical implications of the 1908 race riot."
RDG's design concept for the 1908 Springfield Race Riot memorial, an "open wound," honors the lives lost during the horrific 1908 race riot and marks the solemn location of homes that were destroyed. The symbolic "wound" speaks to the healing still taking place in the community of Springfield and throughout the nation. This sacred place was intended to serve as a cultural and national landmark and a tribute to those who suffered during the 1908 riot, inviting the public to reflect and engage in ongoing dialogue about race and justice in America.