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Emmett Till's Birthplace: A Site of Remembrance

Visit the birthplace of Emmett Till in Summit, IL, a memorial to his life and a symbol of the Civil Rights Movement.

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The site of Emmett Till's birthplace in Summit, Illinois, marks the location where the young African American spent his early childhood. Though the original home is gone, a commemorative sign and field of bricks honor his memory and the legacy of his tragic death, which fueled the Civil Rights Movement.

A brief summary to Emmett Till’s Birthplace

Local tips

  • Visit during daylight hours for the best experience and to fully appreciate the historical context.
  • Take time to read the informative plaques and displays to fully appreciate the historical context.
  • Engage with local historians or community members to understand the ongoing impact of Emmett Till's legacy.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From Oak Lawn Metra Station, take the Metra train on the SouthWest Service line towards Chicago Union Station. Get off at the Summit Station. From Summit Station, exit and walk east on 59th Street until you reach the intersection with Harlem Avenue. Turn right (south) onto Harlem Avenue and walk until you reach 64th Street. Turn left (east) on 64th Street and your destination will be at 7526 64th St, Summit, IL 60501, approximately a 15-minute walk from there. Metra tickets cost $3.75 - $6.75 depending on the distance traveled.

  • Walking

    From Oak Lawn Village Hall, head east on 95th Street until you reach the intersection with Cicero Avenue. Turn right (south) on Cicero Avenue and walk about 1.5 miles. As you approach 64th Street, you will need to turn left (east) onto 64th Street. Continue walking east for about 1 mile, and you will arrive at the Emmett Till's Birthplace located at 7526 64th St, Summit, IL 60501.

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Discover more about Emmett Till’s Birthplace

The location of Emmett Till's Birthplace at 7526 64th St, Summit, IL, serves as a poignant reminder of a life cut short and the racial injustice that plagued America. Emmett Till, born in Chicago in 1941, spent his early years in a tight-knit community in Summit, Illinois. This site, where his first home once stood, marks the beginning of a life that would tragically become a catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement. Though the original house is no longer present, a commemorative sign and a field of bricks were installed on July 25, 2021, which would have been Emmett Till's 80th birthday, transforming the space into a memorial. Visitors can contribute to the memorial by purchasing commemorative bricks, with proceeds supporting the Emmett Till Scholarship Fund. Emmett Till's story is one of both joy and tragedy. He was known as a fun-loving and happy child who enjoyed playing jokes and baseball with his cousins. However, at the age of 14, while visiting relatives in Mississippi, he was brutally murdered for allegedly offending a white woman. His mother's courageous decision to have an open-casket funeral, displaying the horrific violence inflicted upon her son, galvanized the nation and helped ignite the Civil Rights Movement. Visiting Emmett Till's Birthplace offers a space for reflection on the past and a commitment to a more just future.

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