Illinois Office Of Tourism Selects Alton and East St. Louis As Key Cities In Black History Month

ALTON/EAST ST. LOUIS — Alton and East St. Louis are among several cities highlighted by the Illinois Tourism Office for this Black History Month for their museums and historical sites that document Black history, offering educational and reflective experiences for visitors.

These institutions provide opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to explore the history, movements, and milestones that have shaped life in Illinois and beyond. They also encourage personal connections to Black history, fostering cultural understanding and a sense of belonging.

In Alton, the Elijah P. Lovejoy Monument honors the minister and abolitionist who was shot and killed by a pro-slavery mob, becoming a martyr. Meanwhile, the Katherine Dunham Museum in East St. Louis celebrates the work of the pioneering artist who transformed Black performing arts and culture. The museum’s collection includes more than 250 African and Caribbean art objects from over 50 countries.

Lovejoy died on Nov. 7, 1837, at the age of 34. He became a defender of free speech and a free press symbol after his death. He was a minister and also a newspaper editor.

Dunham was recognized as a world-acclaimed dancer and choreographer. She died in 2006, but her legacy lives on in the museum.

Other notable sites across the state include the African American Heritage Trail of Champaign County, which highlights local contributions and features a new Underground Railroad exhibit at the Urbana Free Library. Springfield’s 1908 Race Riot Mural commemorates the violent events that led to the founding of the NAACP. The city is also hosting Black History Nights at the Old State Capitol throughout February, with free presentations on Illinois’ Black soldiers, the state’s first Black lawmaker John W. E. Thomas, and Capitol insider William Butler.

In Jacksonville, the African American History Museum, located in the historic Asa Talcott home, offers exhibits covering local and national Black history from slavery to the present day.

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These sites and events serve as important resources for education and reflection during Black History Month and throughout the year.

For those in the region, they are encouraged to visit the Lovejoy site and the Katherine Dunham Museum in East St. Louis during Black History Month, and others in Jacksonville, Springfield, and Champaign County.

Other Notable Black History Museums and Sites In Northern Illinois

• DuSable Black History Museum, Chicago – This museum and education center in Chicago’s historic Bronzeville neighborhood is the nation’s first independent museum dedicated to the collection and preservation of Black history and culture. Current exhibits include Paris in Black, an exploration of Black artists, writers and performers who found freedom and inspiration in Paris, and The Many Colors of Us, an innovative experience for children to learn and celebrate ethnic diversity.

• Bronzeville Children’s Museum, Chicago – The first and only Black children’s museum in the country for children ages 3-9 with a focus on interactive exhibits and unique programming.

• The African American Museum at the England Manor, Waukegan – A historic home museum chronicling various stages of the Black experience. The site was also a stop along the Underground Railroad.

• Rockford’s Ethnic Heritage Museum – Through various galleries, this museum is devoted to the primary immigrant groups that settled in Rockford. To celebrate Black History Month, the museum will unveil a special exhibit, “We Voted”, which highlights the history and impact of Black civic participation at the local and national level. The exhibit is opening February 1 through April 30, 2026.

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