Illinois Department of Natural Resources | Bruce Rauner, Governor
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2017
Contact:
Elizabeth Bazan
[email protected]
217-782-0061
The Archaeology of Racial Hatred: Springfield, Illinois
Free Illinois State Museum Science Series Program on Feb. 15
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Museum’s Paul Mickey Science Series program “The
Archaeology of Racial Hatred: Springfield, Illinois” presented by Floyd Mansberger of
Fever River Research in Springfield will be held on Wednesday, February 15 from 7:00 –
8:30 p.m.
The program is free and open to the public.
On the evening of August 14, 1908, racial tensions in Springfield ignited, in part due to the
allegations of a white woman (which were later recanted) that she had been assaulted by a
black man. During the resulting two days of rioting, one residential neighborhood in
particular—referred to by the contemporary press as the “Badlands”—was the focus of much
of the violence.
Little physical evidence of this event remains on the landscape today. However,
archaeological investigations conducted ahead of rail improvements resulted in the discovery
of foundations of five houses along North Tenth Street destroyed by fire during the
Springfield Race Riot.
Floyd Mansberger’s presentation will feature the results of the archaeological investigations,
and will hopefully provide new insight into the structure of this neighborhood, the inhabitants
that called this neighborhood home, and the quality of life of the people who experienced this
historical event.
The Paul Mickey Science Series takes place in the Auditorium at the Illinois State Museum,
located at 502 South Spring St. in Springfield. A different speaker and topic will be featured
each month. For additional information, please contact [email protected] or
217-782-0061.
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