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!
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On This Day In History

🌟On This Day in History: December 5, 1961 🌟

Today, we celebrate a remarkable milestone in sports history. On this day, Ernie Davis became the first African American to win the prestigious Heisman Trophy, an achievement that shattered racial barriers and paved the way for future generations.
Ernest "Ernie" Davis was an extraordinary athlete who made a significant impact both on and off the football field. Born on December 14, 1939, in New Salem, Pennsylvania, Davis rose to fame as a standout football player at Syracuse University. His combination of speed, agility, and strength made him a force to be reckoned with, earning him the nickname "The Elmira Express."
Davis's talent was evident from the start. During his college career, he led Syracuse to a national championship in 1959 and was named the Most Valuable Player of the Cotton Bowl in 1960. However, his crowning achievement came in 1961 when he became the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy, awarded annually to the most outstanding player in college football.
Tragically, Davis's promising career was cut short when he was diagnosed with leukemia shortly after being drafted by the Cleveland Browns as the first overall pick in the 1962 NFL Draft. Despite his illness, he continued to demonstrate incredible courage and resilience until his passing on May 18, 1963, at the young age of 23.
His story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the enduring impact one individual can have on society. Today, we honor Ernie Davis for his contributions to sports and his role as a trailblazer for future generations of athletes.
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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 1, 2024: Greek Christmas Decorating
  • 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 6, 2024: Greek Christmas Event
  • December 25-26, 2024: Closed in Observance of Christmas
    December 27, 2024: Kwanzaa Celebration

Our Exhibits

We invite you to visit our exhibits when our Museum reopens in late summer or early fall. Stay tuned!

Learn about our exhibits

Become a Member

Our members are the heart and soul of our Museum! We invite one and all to join us!

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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.