Donate & Support

The Illinois Labor History Society holds the deed for the Haymarket Memorial and is responsible for its protection and upkeep. We also work with the cemetery to preserve, protect and restore the other significant labor history graves and monuments near the memorial. Your donation can help us maintain this important labor history site for future generations.

You can make your donation online here, or send a check to Illinois Labor History Society at 430 Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605.  Be sure to note Haymarket Memorial Donation with your gift.  

Memorial Restoration Progress

In the early 1980s, the floral decoration from the from the Haymarket Martyrs Monument was stolen. The Illinois Labor History Society commissioned the conservator, Andrzej Dajinowski of the firm Conservation of Sculpture and Objects Studio, to restore this beautiful feature of the memorial.  He recreated and installed the bronze floral piece based on historic photographs.  The ILHS also engaged him to create a rubber mold of the floral piece and the monument’s Altgeld plaque.  These molds ensure that if damage is done to the monument in the future, we will be able to restore these elements.

What’s Next for restoring the Monument?

Instillation of Missing Plaque on back side of Martyrs monument

In the 1980's a small bronze plaque was stolen from the back side of the Haymarket Martyrs monument. The plaque, (21 1/2" by 9") was placed below the larger plaque with the words of Governor P. Altgeld, granting absolute pardon to Martyrs Fielden, Neebe and Schwab. The plaque was installed after the death of Samuel Fielden.  The plaque honors Michael Schwab (died June 29, 1898),  Oscar Neebe (died April 22, 1916) and Samuel Fielden (died February 7, 1922).  We plan to recreate and restore the missing plaque.

A Gravestone to be Placed for Nina Van Zandt Spies

Nina Van Zandt Spies was the widow of Haymarket Martyr, August Spies. She was educated at Vassar College and fell in love with August Spies during the Haymarket trial. She helped August Spies write his autobiography and was disinherited by her wealthy aunt because of Nina Spies' politics. Since her death in 1936, her burial site was never marked. In the midst of updating the booklet, The Day Will Come, author Mark Rogovin discovered the precise location of her grave. The ILHS is working with the cemetery to place a marker for her.

Would you like to contribute to these important projects?