African American History
Exhibits & Educational Materials Related African American History
Welcome to education materials for educators on African American History in Illinois.
You will find activities, videos, and resource materials. These resources are for your use in teaching about African American History in Illinois.
Free-ish! Juneteenth Virtual Exhibit
Explore the Free-ish Exhibit virtual with Google Slides or PDF.
Ancestral Threads: The Fiber Art of Sherise Wright Virtual Exhibit
Explore the Ancestral Threads Exhibit virtual with Google Slides or PDF.
Museum Collection Objects
Explore art and objects within the Museum's larger collection related to African American History and art with Google Slides or PDF.
June's Room Exhibit
This exhibit recreates Vincent “June” Chappelle’s bedroom on the South Side of Chicago as it appeared when he was a child and teenager between 2002-2009. In his own words, June describes his room and what it meant to him. Exhibit includes text, pictures and videos.
Videos
1908 Dresser Top: Exploring How Objects Tell a Story
Explore with ISM Archaeologist Brooke Morgan the 1908 Race Riot by looking at a mable dresser top uncovered at the Archaeological Site.
6th-12th Grade Level
Black Codes: Using Art to Explore a Moment in History
Explore with ISM Curators Erika Holst and Douglas Stapleton as they look at a painting of John and Mary Jones and their fight against the Black Codes in Illinois.
6th-12th Grade Level
Freedom Seekers: Using Art to Explore a Moment in History
Explore with ISM Curators Erika Holst and Doug Stapleton as they look at a painting of John and Mary Jones and how they helped enslaved people escape to freedom on the Underground Railroad in Illinois.
6th-12th Grade Level
Platform Rocker & the 1908 Race Riot: Exploring How Objects Tell a Story
Explore with ISM Curator Erika Holst, the 1908 Race Riot by looking at a platform rocker that survived.
6th-12th Grade Level
More To Know Than Martin & Rosa
There is more to Black History Month than Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks! Who else had an impact on U.S. History? Join Kathryn Harris, as she shares her research and extensive knowledge on influential African Americans in history.
Elementary Level
Exploring the Great Migration
ISM Educator Lorna Shuman talks to Historian June Chappelle about what is The Great Migration.
Elementary-12th Grade Level
Personal Stories of the Great Migration
ISM Educator Lorna Shuman talks to Historian June Chappelle about his family's personal stories of The Great Migration.
Upper Elementary -12th Grade Level
Exploring Redlining
ISM Educator Lorna Shuman talks to Historian June Chappelle about what is Redlining.
Jr. High-12th Grade Level
Sad Iron & Bettye Washington: Exploring How Objects Tell a Story
Explore with ISM Curator Erika Holst as she shares how a sad iron can help tell the story of a family's move during the Great Migration.
6th-12th Grade Level
Lucy McWorter's Dress: Exploring How Objects Tell a Story
Explore with ISM Curator Erika Holst as she talks about the recreation of Lucy McWorter's dress and her part in the development of New Philadelphia, the first African American town in Illinois.
Elementary Activities
Exploring the Great Migration - Explore the period of the Great Migration. This unit explores the Great Migration using activities, primary sources, museum collections, leveled reading material, and videos. Teachers may use as much of this packet as it fits with their curriculum. 3rd-5th grade. Created in partnership with the Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum. Includes two videos. PDF
More to Know Than Martin & Rosa - Have students watch the video with Kathryn Harris about other African Americans in U.S. History. You can check out the names she covered in this slideshow.
Secondary Activities
Springfield Race Riot 1908. Read the walking tour for the Springfield Race Riot of 1908. Have students discuss what happened, paying special attention to the timeline and what happened. Watch the video with Historian Doris Bailey.
Exploring Redlining - Video, Unit activities for exploring what redlining is (PDF).
The Great Migration - Explore the activities for students focusing on the Great Migration.