A seemingly ordinary vacant brick building with shuttered windows sits on South 12th Street in Springfield. This building once served as the first orphanage in the nation for African American children and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
Join presenter Mary Frances as she discusses the history behind the Lincoln Colored Home and the previously unknown life of founder Eva Carroll Monroe. This presentation is based on Frances' documentary film Eva Carroll Monroe and the Lincoln Colored Home. A Q&A session will follow. Copies of Frances' book African Americans in Springfield (Images of America), will also be available for purchase along with a book signing after the program.
Mary Frances is an independent historian and documentarian focusing on untold African American stories in Springfield, Illinois. Illinois Humanities designated her a 2023-2024 Road Scholar. This program is presented as a partnership between the Museum, Bloomington Public Library, and Illinois Humanities. Attend this program in person in the second floor courtroom at the McLean County Museum of History or watch it live-streamed through the Museum’s YouTube channel by clicking this link.
Illinois Humanities is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Illinois General Assembly [through the Illinois Arts Council Agency (IACA)], as well as by contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by speakers, program participants, or audiences do not necessarily reflect those of the NEH, Illinois Humanities, IACA, our partnering organizations, or our funders.
For more information about this program or questions, please contact the Education Department at education@mchistory.org or 309-827-0428.