THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY MUSEUM
AAHM's mission statement is "To tell authentic stories about African American life in Springfield and Central Illinois through exhibitions, education, collections and programs to preserve, interpret and celebrate African American history and culture."
The Springfield & Central Illinois African American History Museum will be closed for construction beginning May 13, 2024. We are excited about the expansion project which will add more exhibit space onto the back of the museum. Construction is scheduled to be completed sometime late Summer or early Fall. Please see our website for updates. www.spiaahm.org
While the building at 1440 Monument will be closed for construction, AAHM plans to maintain offering relevant programming to the Springfield & Central Illinois community. Sign up for our email list to receive the most current announcements. All events will be announced on our website. www.spiaahm.org
For urgent inquiries, please contact us at our temporary number (217) 361-9942.
September Update: AAHM has brand new walls!
Can you picture all the activities AAHM can host in the new conference room?
We are so excited for the museum to open to patrons again!
On This Day In History
On This Day in History
Elder Lucy Smith made history by founding and pastoring All Nations Pentecostal Church, the first Black megachurch in Chicago. Born on January 14, 1875, in Woodstock, Georgia, Lucy Smith's journey of faith began at the age of 12 when she dedicated her life to the Lord. Despite the challenges she faced—being abandoned by her husband and raising nine children—she moved to Chicago and found her calling in divine healing ministry.
Starting with a humble prayer meeting in her home, Lucy's ministry quickly grew as people were healed and baptized with the Holy Ghost. Within three years, her congregation expanded, and by 1930, she had built a church worth $65,000 (equivalent to a million dollars today) with over 5,000 members. Elder Lucy Smith’s healing services were renowned, attracting people from all walks of life. She held services three times a week, where many were healed of ailments, from blindness to paralysis.
Her influence extended beyond the church doors—she pioneered “The Glorious Church of the Air,” the first live radio broadcast from a Black church, sharing her message of faith and healing with people across the country. During the Great Depression, she and her church fed and clothed thousands of families in need.
When Elder Lucy Smith passed away on June 18, 1952, more than 60,000 people attended her funeral, the largest in Chicago's history. Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched, her powerful ministry, and her commitment to healing, charity, and faith.
Let’s take a moment to honor Elder Lucy Smith and her incredible impact on the community and beyond.
2024 Events
July 2024
- July 13, 2024: The 1619 Book Club at the DeFrates Room, Lincoln Library 12 pm - 1:30 pm
- July 24, 2024: Adult Game Night (Rescheduled TBA)
- July 26, 2024: Living Black History: A Talk with Kathryn Harris (Online) at 12:30 - 1 PM Registration Link https://events.aarp.org/event/48530acd-cf3f-4bb0-99a0-b49d93e8ff4f/summary
- July 27, 2024: Kids Game Day! at the Multipurpose Room, Lincoln Library 12-1 PM
August 2024
- August 3, 2024: Back to School Bash at ALPLM's Union Square Park 9 AM - 1 PM.
- August 8-18, 2024: History Exhibit at the Illinois State Fair
September 2024
October 2024
November 2024
- November 8, 2024: 13th Annual Fundraising Gala - "Honoring Our Heritage - From Chains to Change" at 6 PM at Northfield Inn (3280 Northfield Dr., Springfield, IL 62702)
December 2024
- December 25-26, 2024: Closed in Observance of Christmas
Our Exhibits
We invite you to visit our exhibits when our Museum reopens in late summer or early fall. Stay tuned!
Join our email list!
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Hours
We are currently closed due to construction. Stay tuned for the grand reopening!
Special events and private guided tours can be made outside of general admission times. Please call the office to schedule your event.
Location
1440 Monument Avenue
Springfield, Illinois 62702
Email: contact@spiaahm.org
Temporary Phone: (217 ) 361-9942
Map
Admission
Donations are strongly encouraged.
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