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Springfield is home to a variety of cultures whose presence can be felt all over the city.
Minority demographics are 20.1% African American, 3.1% Hispanic or Latino, and 3.0% Asian according to a U.S Census Bureau survey of 2021.
From visual art, houses of worship, memorials and restaurants, visit these sites that symbolize the capital city’s diversity and culture.
Rangoli
![A type of art piece know as a Rangoli at Springfield Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, May 24. [Thomas J. Turney/The State Journal-Register]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2022/05/24/NSJR/afa8a952-847e-4846-ab35-92ce76f8f6cf-052422Rangoli.jpg?width=660&height=359&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Springfield Memorial Hospital is more colorful this May due to a new Rangoli display in its lobby.
Rangoli is an ancient Indian art form that produces colorful patterns and designs on a floor using rice, powders, sand, spices and flower petals.
Ancient Rangoli is traditionally created near an entrance of a home or building to welcome guests and invite blessings. The display, set up to honor Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, was created by Sudhir Pai, project manager at Memorial Health.
More coverage:The Indian Kitchen, specializing in fast casual cuisine, opens on Carlinville square
Lingling Liu, community engagement and equity, diversity and inclusion coordinator for Memorial Health, said placing the Rangoli in the lobby was important for representation and because art fits in well with healing environments. She said since the hospital is an environment of care, Rangoli helps give it a more humanizing touch.
“Showcasing different cultures and promoting understanding really helps foster an inclusive environment where we are all comfortable being our authentic selves, do our best work, and provide a healing environment of care.” Liu said. “For Memorial Health to display Rangoli, our organization communicates the message that we see the unique talent and value that our colleagues bring, and we want to highlight it and celebrate it.”
The Rangoli display is part of Springfield Memorial Health’s effort to create a culture that is welcoming, inclusive and positive, said Chuck Callahan, president of Memorial Health Hospital Group in a press release. It can be found in the Springfield Memorial Hospital lobby until its ceremonial dismantling this Tuesday.
Floating Gardens of Mexico City
A painting of The Floating Gardens of Mexico City can be spotted at the Xochimilco Authentic Mexican restaurant in Springfield.
The restaurant, at 2941 W. Iles Ave., is named after the Xochimilco borough that lies south of Mexico City and is known for its network of canals.
The painting depicts a couple riding a canal on Lake Xochimilco in honor of the ancient Mexican form of transportation. Xochimilco is home to the remains of the Aztec civilization. The Aztecs once used a network of canals as their primary way to transport goods.
Today Xochimilco is one of Mexico’s largest tourist attractions, according to Trip Advisor. Visitors can ride on the river, listen to a mariachi band while eating, and enjoy Mexican culture in the only area in Mexico where canals remain.
The Hindu Temple of Greater Springfield
![In this Oct. 13, 2021, file photo, Dr. Sowmy Thuppal hangs decorations made of coconut leaves along the shrines for gods and goddesses important to Hinduism for the rituals which would consecrate the newly-built Hindu Temple of Greater Springfield in Chatham. [Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/10/14/NSJR/7b23dabe-c74f-45c7-abe5-de635fd6bcfa-ILSPR-10142021-PHOTO-Temple-01.jpg?width=660&height=448&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The Hindu Temple of Greater Springfield is a spiritual destination for connection between humans and divinity. Its columns, décor, and symbolism allow families to continue in traditional worship while away from home.
The temple, in Chatham, has shrines that honor a variety of deities. Leaders dedicated the temple to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, fortune and prosperity, at Its consecration in October 2021.
While the temple is for the Hindu community, leaders say anyone can attend for worship. The temple also has a community building with classrooms, a kitchen and an auditorium which will be used for future events.
Reconciliation Way
Reconciliation Way serves as a commemoration of the 1908 Race Riots in Springfield. The 11th Street designation came about in 2008 – the 100th anniversary of the riot – as part of the city’s commitment to move forward in peace regardless of its dark past.
Homes and Black-owned businesses were destroyed in the race riots and several Black lives were taken.
A major outcome of the riot was the creation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Brown and white Reconciliation Way street signs, which were placed in 2008, symbolize the memory of harm toward black residents and the city’s desire to heal.
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