Black History Walk

1500 Monument Avenue,Springfield IL 62702

11 May, 2023

Description

This 90-minute guided hike will focus on the history of the African American community in Springfield through the experiences of some of the citizens buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery. Many of the graves are located in Block 5, originally designated as the “colored” section. Some of the stories to be told include Lewis Martin, whose photograph, showing his wounds, became one of the most iconic images of the Civil War, William Donnegan, whose brutal lynching during the Springfield Race Riot helped inspire the founding of the NAACP, and Jameson Jenkins, one of Abraham Lincoln’s neighbors, who was involved in the Underground Railroad, risking his own life to help others escape to freedom. Meet your guide in the Lincoln Tomb parking lot. As the program is outdoors, it will be cancelled if inclement weather occurs. Please note that the program will involve walking up and down hills, using stairs, and crossing uneven and unpaved surfaces; good shoes are recommended. All tours are free. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made through the IDNR website at historicspringfield.dnr.illinois.gov. Call 217-524-3971 to request additional days and times. “As we learn more about the history before our eyes in our own communities, we gain a clearer picture of our duties to preserve and celebrate all history – of all cultures – all year round,” Alderman Gregory said. “The words ‘stronger together’ have never had more meaning to me.” Agreement to the following is required to participate in this program. In registering for this program, you are agreeing to these terms. PLEASE NOTE: PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED IF PARTICIPANT IS UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE IN ORDER TO BE ALLOWED TO PARTICIPATE AS A PARTICIPANT IN THE ABOVE-REFERENCED EVENT/ACTIVITY SPONSORED OR ARRANGED BY THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES (IDNR), THE PARTICIPANT HEREBY UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES TO RELEASE, DEFEND, HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND THE IDNR, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS, OTHER INVITEES AND LICENSEES FROM ANY AND ALL COSTS, EXPENSES, LOSSES, CLAIMS, DAMAGES, LIABILITIES, SETTLEMENTS, INVESTIGATIONS BY ANY LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL REGULATORY AGENCY, INQUIRIES, JUDGMENTS, FINDINGS, COSTS AND EXPENSES AND REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES (INCLUDING THE REASONABLE VALUE OF TIME SPENT BY THE ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE) AND THE COSTS AND EXPENSES AND REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES OF OTHER COUNSEL REQUIRED TO DEFEND THE STATE OF ILLINOIS AND/OR THE IDNR RELATED TO OR ARISING FROM THE PARTICIPANT’S PARTICIPATION IN THE ABOVE- REFERENCED EVENT/ACTIVITY AND SPECIFCALLY: (1) ANY BREACH OF THIS AGREEMENT; (2) ANY NEGLIGENT, INTENTIONAL OR WRONGFUL ACT OR OMISSION OF THE PARTICIPANT: (3) THE PARTICIPANT’S PERFORMANCE OR ATTEMPTED PERFORMANCE OF ANY RIGHT, DUTY OR OBLIGATION UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND/OR (4) A COVID- 19 ILLNESS AND/OR ANY OTHER ILLNESS(ES) CAUSED BY, OR DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY RELATED TO, THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THE FOREGOING OBLIGATION TO INDEMNIFY SHALL SURVIVE THE TERMINATION OR EXPIRATION OF THE IDNR EVENT/ACTIVITY. The Participant, while participating in the above-referenced IDNR event/activity, understands and agrees to: (a) Comply with all Executive Orders the Office of Illinois Governor has issued pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic; (b) Comply with all guidelines, regulations and rules the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Illinois Department of Public Health have issued, pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic; (c) Purchase, have and wear at all times a cloth face covering while on IDNR property or on any other property and (d) Practice social distancing at all times while on IDNR property or on any another property. The Participant understands and agrees that there are any number of risks associated with participating in the above-referenced IDNR event/activity. The Participant understands that the abopve-referenced event/activity may take place on IDNR property and/or property belonging to others. The Participant represents that he/she is in good health and suffers no physical impairment that will or could prevent successfully participating in the above- referenced IDNR event/activity. The Participant hereby grants and conveys to IDNR all rights, title and interest in any and all photographs, images, videos or audio recordings of his/her likeness or voice in connection with participating in the above-referenced IDNR event/activity. The Participant understands and agrees that he/she is responsible for obtaining private insurance coverage in the event of personal injury, illness or damage to any property or person while, or because of, participating in the above-referenced IDNR event/activity. The Participant understands and agrees that this Agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the State of Illinois and furthermore understands and agrees that if any portion of this Agreement is deemed invalid, the remaining portions shall continue in full legal force and effect. ***Signature page follows*** UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED AS TO THE ABOVE: ______________________________________________________________