In 1898, Springfi eld hosted the nation’s fi rst orphanage for African-American children, which operated here until 1933. The orphanage’s second building, erected in 1904, still stands at 427 S. 12 th St., but it’s in major need of restoration. Thanks to the efforts of four young 4-H volunteers, the 112-year-old building will get a new sign explaining its historical signifi cance on June 2, the fi rst step in a larger restoration project. Springfi eld High School freshmen Jesse Harris, Zaire Harris, Amareon Naudain and Robert Williams are members of the Spark Tank 4-H club in Springfi eld, and they’re planning to fi nish restoring the Lincoln Colored Home by the time they graduate. The historical sign is the fi rst phase of the project, to be followed by tuck-pointing and a complete interior restoration. The restored building will also host a fl ower and vegetable garden. Farm Credit Illinois awarded Spark Tank a community service grant for the project, and the Illinois 4-H Foundation provided the local club a $1,000 grant. For more information or to donate toward the project, contact Erica Austin at 782-4617 or [email protected].