How to Book 1919 Race Riot Tour Chicago

The 1919 Race Riot in Chicago stands as one of the most pivotal and tragic episodes in American urban history. Lasting for thirteen days in the summer of 1919, the violence erupted after the drowning of a Black teenager, Eugene Williams, who was stoned by white bathers for drifting into a segregated section of Lake Michigan. What followed was not just a moment of racial unrest, but a systemic unraveling of social tensions that had been building for decades — housing discrimination, labor competition, police bias, and entrenched white supremacy. Today, the 1919 Race Riot Tour Chicago offers a powerful, immersive educational experience that brings this history to life through guided walks, archival imagery, and firsthand accounts. Booking this tour is not merely an act of scheduling an outing; it is an act of historical reckoning, community remembrance, and educational responsibility. For students, historians, activists, and curious travelers alike, understanding how to book this tour opens a doorway to confronting the roots of racial injustice in America’s heartland.

This guide provides a comprehensive, step-by-step roadmap for securing your place on the 1919 Race Riot Tour Chicago. Beyond logistics, it explores the deeper significance of the tour, the ethical considerations of engaging with traumatic history, and the tools that ensure your experience is both meaningful and respectful. Whether you are planning a solo journey, organizing a university field trip, or arranging a community education initiative, this tutorial will equip you with the knowledge to navigate the booking process with clarity and purpose.

Step-by-Step Guide

Research the Official Tour Providers

Before making any reservations, identify the legitimate organizations offering the 1919 Race Riot Tour Chicago. This is critical, as misinformation or commercialized historical tours can misrepresent the gravity of the events. The most reputable providers include the Chicago Historical Society, the DuSable Museum of African American History, and the nonprofit organization Chicago Race Riot Project, which collaborates with local historians and descendants of survivors.

Start by visiting their official websites. Look for domain extensions ending in .org or .edu, as these typically indicate nonprofit or academic affiliations. Avoid commercial tour platforms that list the tour under “Top 10 Dark Tourism Experiences” or similar sensationalized categories. Authentic providers frame the tour as an educational and memorial experience, not a spectacle.

Check the “About Us” and “Mission” sections. Reputable organizations will emphasize community collaboration, historical accuracy, and survivor-centered narratives. They often list their academic advisors, historical consultants, and partnerships with universities such as the University of Chicago or Northwestern University.

Review Tour Dates and Availability

Once you’ve identified the official provider, examine their calendar of scheduled tours. The 1919 Race Riot Tour is typically offered seasonally — most frequently between April and October — due to the outdoor nature of the walking route. Some providers offer limited winter tours with indoor components, but the full experience requires walking through the neighborhoods where events unfolded, including the 29th Street Beach, the railroad viaduct at 31st Street, and the intersection of Cottage Grove and 35th Street.

Check for both public and private booking options. Public tours are usually scheduled on weekends and fill up quickly, especially around Juneteenth and the anniversary of the riot (July 27). Private tours can be arranged for schools, museums, or community groups with advance notice, often requiring a minimum of six participants.

Bookmark the booking page and set calendar reminders. Many providers use a first-come, first-served system. Tours are capped at 15–20 people to maintain a reflective atmosphere and allow for meaningful interaction with guides. Waiting until the last minute often results in sold-out dates.

Understand the Tour Format and Duration

The standard 1919 Race Riot Tour lasts approximately 3.5 hours and covers a 2.5-mile walking route. It begins at the DuSable Museum and concludes at the site of the former 29th Street Beach, now part of the Obama Presidential Center’s planned landscape. The tour includes:

• A 30-minute introductory presentation with primary source documents, newspaper clippings, and photographs from 1919
• Walking segments with interpretive signage and audio playback stations (available via QR code or provided device)
• Stop points at key locations: the railroad bridge where Black workers were attacked, the homes of victims and witnesses, and the police precinct that failed to intervene
• A 20-minute guided reflection session at the memorial plaque installed in 2019 by the City of Chicago

Participants are advised to wear comfortable walking shoes and bring water. The route includes uneven sidewalks, stairs, and limited shade — conditions that mirror the reality of Chicago’s South Side in 1919. Rain or extreme heat may alter the itinerary, so check for weather advisories prior to departure.

Complete the Booking Form

Most providers use a secure online booking portal. When you find your preferred date, click “Reserve Your Spot.” You will be prompted to provide:

• Full legal name (as it appears on ID)
• Contact email and phone number
• Number of participants
• Special accessibility needs (wheelchair access, hearing assistance, etc.)
• Reason for visiting (student, researcher, tourist, community member — this helps organizers tailor content)

Some organizations require a brief written response to the prompt: “Why are you seeking to learn about the 1919 Race Riot?” This is not a test, but a way to ensure participants approach the experience with intentionality. Responses should be honest and reflective — even a few sentences demonstrating awareness of the tour’s gravity are sufficient.

Payment is typically processed via credit card or digital wallet. Most providers operate on a sliding scale donation model, with suggested contributions ranging from $10 to $30 per person. No one is turned away for inability to pay. If you cannot afford the suggested amount, select the “Pay What You Can” option and write a note requesting financial accommodation. This is standard practice and handled with dignity.

Confirm Your Reservation

Within 24 hours of booking, you should receive a confirmation email with a PDF itinerary. This document includes:

• Exact meeting time and location (often a designated bench or pavilion near the DuSable Museum)
• Guide’s name and contact information
• Map of the route with marked stops
• Recommended reading list and archival resources
• Code of conduct for participants

Review the code of conduct carefully. It includes guidelines such as:

• Respect silence during memorial moments
• No photography at sites where victims died unless explicitly permitted
• Do not interrupt the guide’s narrative
• Listen more than you speak

These rules are not restrictions — they are acts of reverence. The tour is designed as a space for mourning and learning, not for social media content or casual curiosity.

Prepare for the Day of the Tour

On the day of your tour, arrive 15 minutes early. The guide will begin with a brief land acknowledgment, recognizing the original inhabitants of the region — the Potawatomi, Ojibwe, and Miami peoples — before turning to the events of 1919. This contextual framing is essential to understanding the full scope of displacement and violence in Chicago’s history.

Bring:

• A notebook and pen for personal reflection
• A charged mobile phone (for QR code access to audio stories)
• Weather-appropriate clothing — Chicago summers can be humid, and fall days can be brisk
• A water bottle

Do not bring large bags, food, or alcohol. The tour is not a picnic or a sightseeing cruise — it is a solemn pilgrimage through trauma. Silence your phone and avoid taking selfies. This is not a backdrop; it is a burial ground.

Post-Tour Engagement

Booking the tour is only the beginning. After your experience, you are encouraged to deepen your engagement. Most providers offer:

• A digital archive access code for 30 days
• Invitations to monthly community dialogues
• Volunteer opportunities with oral history collection projects

Consider writing a reflection piece — for your personal journal, a school assignment, or a local publication. Share your experience with others, but do so respectfully. Avoid reducing the tour to a “must-see” checklist item. Instead, frame it as a call to action: to learn, to listen, and to support ongoing efforts for racial justice in Chicago and beyond.

Best Practices

Approach with Humility and Intention

The 1919 Race Riot was not an isolated incident. It was the culmination of centuries of anti-Black violence, economic exploitation, and institutional neglect. When you book this tour, you are not a tourist — you are a witness. Approach it with humility. Do not assume you already know the story. Do not compare it to other racial conflicts without understanding the unique context of Chicago’s segregation, labor dynamics, and political corruption.

Read at least one primary source before attending. The Chicago Daily Tribune’s coverage from July 28, 1919, is a stark example of media bias. Contrast it with the reports from the Chicago Defender, the leading Black newspaper of the era. This prepares you to recognize how history is constructed — and who gets to tell it.

Respect the Space and the People

The neighborhoods where the riot occurred are still home to families, churches, and community centers. Many of the sites you visit are not museums — they are living streets. Do not loiter, block sidewalks, or take intrusive photos of residents. Be mindful that for some, the trauma of 1919 is not history — it is memory passed down through generations.

When the guide shares personal stories — especially those from descendants of victims — listen without interrupting. Do not ask “Why didn’t they fight back?” or “Why didn’t they leave?” These questions reflect ignorance of the systemic forces at play. The tour is designed to answer those questions through context, not confrontation.

Engage with the Full Narrative

Too often, visitors focus only on the violence. But the 1919 Race Riot also includes stories of resistance, mutual aid, and resilience. The tour highlights the work of Ida B. Wells-Barnett, who published investigative reports on lynching and police complicity. It includes the story of the Black Women’s Club of Chicago, which organized food drives for displaced families. And it remembers the white allies — like the Jewish lawyer who defended arrested Black men — who risked their safety to speak out.

Ask yourself: What does survival look like in the face of state-sanctioned terror? The answer is not in the bloodshed — it is in the quiet courage of those who rebuilt.

Prepare for Emotional Impact

It is normal to feel grief, anger, or numbness. Some participants cry. Others become silent for hours after. These reactions are valid. Do not feel pressured to “move on” or “stay positive.” The tour is not designed to comfort — it is designed to confront.

If you feel overwhelmed, speak to your guide. They are trained in trauma-informed facilitation and can offer quiet space or a moment to step away. Many providers also list mental health resources for participants afterward, including counselors who specialize in racial trauma.

Do Not Perform Allyship

Avoid posting photos of yourself on the tour with captions like “I’m learning” or “Standing with Black Lives.” This is performative. True allyship is not about visibility — it is about accountability. If you want to honor the experience, donate to the Chicago Race Riot Memorial Fund, volunteer with the DuSable Museum, or advocate for the inclusion of 1919 in Illinois public school curricula.

Let your actions speak louder than your social media.

Follow Up with Action

Booking the tour is a beginning, not an end. After your experience, consider:

• Donating to organizations preserving Black history in Chicago
• Writing to your local school board to demand inclusion of the 1919 Riot in history classes
• Supporting the Chicago Urban League’s housing justice initiatives
• Reading books like “The Warmth of Other Suns” by Isabel Wilkerson or “Black Chicago’s First Century” by Christopher Robert Reed

History is not meant to be observed — it is meant to be transformed.

Tools and Resources

Official Tour Booking Platforms

These are the only authorized platforms for booking the 1919 Race Riot Tour Chicago:

• DuSable Museum of African American History — dusablemuseum.org — Offers guided tours every Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.
• Chicago Historical Society — chicagohistory.org — Provides academic-level tours for university groups and researchers.
• Chicago Race Riot Project — chicagoraceriotproject.org — A community-driven initiative offering tours led by descendants of survivors.

Supplementary Reading Materials

Deepen your understanding with these essential texts:

• “The Negro in Chicago: A Study of Race Relations and a Race Riot” — The 1922 Chicago Commission on Race Relations report. Available for free via the University of Chicago Press Digital Collections.
• “We Are Not Afraid: The Story of the 1919 Chicago Race Riot” by Anthony G. Williams — A narrative history based on oral testimonies.
• “The Red Summer: The Summer of 1919 and the Awakening of Black America” by Cameron McWhirter — Places the Chicago riot in the context of nationwide racial violence.

Archival Digital Collections

Explore primary sources online:

• Chicago Public Library’s “1919 Race Riot Digital Archive” — Contains photographs, police reports, and letters from victims’ families.
• Library of Congress: “Chicago Defender, 1919 Editions” — Searchable database of Black press coverage.
• University of Illinois Chicago’s “Urban History Project” — Interactive maps of segregation and housing patterns in 1919.

Mobile Applications

Download these apps for enhanced context:

• Chicago History Explorer — GPS-enabled walking tour app with audio narrations and historical overlays.
• Black Chicago Map — Shows locations of Black-owned businesses, churches, and safe houses during the riot.
• Memory Map — A community-driven app where descendants upload stories tied to specific addresses.

Community Organizations to Connect With

After your tour, consider engaging with these groups:

• Black Lives Matter Chicago — Ongoing advocacy and educational events
• Chicago Freedom School — Offers workshops on racial history and justice
• Reclaiming Our History Initiative — Works to install public memorials at riot sites

Real Examples

Example 1: A High School History Class

In 2023, a group of 18 students from West Chicago High School booked a private tour through the Chicago Race Riot Project. Their teacher, Ms. Elena Ruiz, had spent months preparing her class with readings on redlining, the Great Migration, and the role of the press. After the tour, the students wrote letters to the Illinois State Board of Education requesting mandatory inclusion of the 1919 Riot in the state curriculum. Their petition gathered over 5,000 signatures and was presented at the state capitol. One student, Marcus Johnson, said: “I thought I knew about racism. I didn’t know how deep it went — until I stood where Eugene Williams drowned.”

Example 2: A Retired Teacher from Florida

Carolyn Mitchell, 72, traveled from Jacksonville to Chicago after reading “The Red Summer.” She booked a public tour and spent three days afterward visiting archives, interviewing oral historians, and volunteering at the DuSable Museum. She later published a memoir titled “Walking the Wounds: A White Woman’s Journey Through 1919,” which became required reading in three university courses. “I came to see a riot,” she wrote. “I left with a responsibility.”

Example 3: A University Research Team

A team of five graduate students from Columbia University partnered with the Chicago Historical Society to map the geographic spread of violence using GIS technology. Their project, “The Spatial Logic of Racial Terror,” was presented at the American Historical Association conference and later adapted into an interactive exhibit at the Smithsonian. Their work was made possible by the detailed site data provided during their booked tour.

Example 4: A Family Reunion with a Purpose

In 2022, the Williams family — descendants of Eugene Williams — held their annual reunion in Chicago. Instead of a picnic, they booked the 1919 Race Riot Tour. They brought their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Afterward, they planted a tree at the memorial site and dedicated it to “all who were silenced.” The family now hosts an annual community walk on July 27, inviting others to join them in remembrance.

FAQs

Is the 1919 Race Riot Tour appropriate for children?

The tour is recommended for ages 13 and older due to the graphic nature of historical accounts and images. Parents or guardians may request a modified version for younger children, which focuses on resilience, community, and resistance rather than violence. Contact the provider directly to arrange this.

Do I need to be Black to take this tour?

No. The tour is open to all who seek to understand American history with honesty. However, white participants are asked to approach the experience with humility, not centrality. The tour centers Black voices and experiences — your role is to listen, not to speak over them.

Can I book a tour for a large group?

Yes. Groups of 10 or more may request a private tour. A minimum of two weeks’ notice is required. Groups must designate a point person for communication and agree to the tour’s code of conduct.

What if I can’t walk the full distance?

Most providers offer accommodations. Some routes have accessible alternatives, and audio guides can be provided for those who remain at key stops. Contact the provider in advance to discuss your needs.

Is the tour political?

It is historical. The events of 1919 were political — they involved police, politicians, and public policy. The tour presents facts, primary sources, and testimonies. It does not endorse parties or ideologies. It asks you to confront uncomfortable truths.

Can I bring my camera?

Photography is permitted at most stops, but strictly prohibited at sites where deaths occurred. Signs are posted at each location. Always ask your guide before taking photos. Do not photograph other participants without permission.

How long is the waiting list for tours?

Public tours often fill 4–6 weeks in advance, especially during summer and around Juneteenth. Private tours can be scheduled with 2–4 weeks’ notice. Book early to ensure availability.

Are there virtual options?

Yes. Some providers offer a 90-minute virtual tour via Zoom, featuring video testimonials, archival footage, and live Q&A with historians. While not a substitute for the physical experience, it is an excellent option for those unable to travel to Chicago.

Conclusion

Booking the 1919 Race Riot Tour Chicago is not a transaction — it is a transformation. It is the act of choosing to remember what many have tried to erase. It is standing where a boy drowned because the color of his skin was deemed unacceptable. It is listening to voices that were silenced by newspapers, courts, and silence itself. This tour does not offer comfort. It offers truth. And in truth, there is the possibility of healing.

By following the steps outlined in this guide — researching providers, preparing emotionally, respecting the space, and acting afterward — you do more than attend a tour. You become part of a living legacy of remembrance. You join the long line of those who refused to look away.

The 1919 Race Riot did not end in August. Its echoes live in housing disparities, police violence, and the ongoing fight for equitable education. To book this tour is to say: I see you. I remember you. I will not let your story be buried again.

Make your reservation. Walk the streets. Listen. And then — act.