News Release
NPS/Jimenez
News Release Date: March 28, 2022
Contact: NewsMedia@nps.gov
WASHINGTON – National Park Service (NPS) Director Chuck Sams visited the heartland today to learn about the 1908 Race Riot site in Springfield, Illinois as the NPS begins a special resource study to evaluate the potential for inclusion of the site into the National Park System. Sams also visited Lincoln Home National Historic Site to meet with employees. National Park Service Regional Director Bert Frost and Lincoln Home National Historic Site Superintendent Tim Good joined Director Sams on the visit.
During the tour of the Springfield Race Riot site, Sams met with the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Mayor of Springfield, staff from the local Congressional delegation, and other stakeholders to hear about their work to preserve the 1908 Race Riot site. During the Director’s visit, the lead archeologist who uncovered several artifacts and the foundations of buildings that burned in the 1908 Race Riot discussed the archeological work completed to date.
The NPS completed an initial reconnaissance survey of the site in October 2018. Following that preliminary survey, Congress directed the NPS to conduct a special resource study of the site. The NPS initiated the special resource study in February 2022. The special resource study process is designed to evaluate if a site is nationally significant, suitable and feasible for the NPS to administer, and the range of potential management options, including the role of stakeholders and partners in administering a site. When complete, the NPS will transmit the study to Congress.
Following his visit to the 1908 Race Riot site, Sams toured neighboring Lincoln Home National Historic Site, which preserves the only home Lincoln ever owned and where he lived the 17 years prior to becoming President. While there, Sams met with park staff to hear from employees how he can be their advocate in Washington.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America’s 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Last updated: March 28, 2022