Honoring Quincy's Rich History & Culture

QPL Honors the Rich History of Black Culture

February is Black History Month. This is a time to honor, celebrate and learn about the importance of African American history.

Frank McWorter. Source: alchetron.com

FREE FRANK'S LEGACY this past Saturday, at Quincy Public Library

Attendees learned About Free Frank McWorter and his Local Legacy. Many enslaved people in the United States had few options and they often took great risks to gain freedom and make a life for themselves and future generations. One such person, Frank McWorter, was able to save money and gain his freedom from slavery in 1819. In 1830 McWorter migrated with freed family members to the Illinois prairie where he established the town of New Philadelphia in 1836. He eventually was able to purchase his remaining family members and freed them from slavery.

Descendants of this man, who came to be known as Free Frank, visited Quincy Public Library this past Saturday, Feb. 2 to share details about their heroic ancestor. Gerald McWorter and Kate Williams-McWorter will talk about Free Frank’s trials and tribulations and how he went on to make history. Last summer, the McWorter’s book, New Philadelphia was published. “New Philadelphia is a small place with a big story…,” the book’s epilogue states.

Located near Barry, Illinois, the town was the first in the US to be registered by an African-American and was offered as an integrated community. Before the Civil War, it became one of the way stations for the Underground Railroad. The site has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated National Historic Landmark.

Free Frank lived in New Philadelphia from 1836 until his death in 1854. He purchased freedom for 16 members of his family. They worked as farmers and artisans in the town. His heirs used their inheritance to free seven more relatives.

In 1869, the new railroad bypassed the town, which rapidly declined in population, with no residents remaining after the 1920s. In recent years, the site has been the location of archeological studies. To learn more about the town and Free Frank visit newphiladelphiaillinois.org.

Alma Thomas. Source: artsy.net

CRAFT CORNER Friday, Feb. 15 at 1 pm

Craft Corner Features Abstract Art Project Honoring Artist Alma Thomas All ages are invited to create an abstract art project inspired by Alma Thomas, African American expressionist painter and art educator, at the Craft Corner family event on Friday, Feb. 15. The project will let your inner artist come out to create your own interpretation of a color field while painting.

Thomas, Howard University’s first fine arts graduate, began a 35 year teaching career in 1924. After retirement, she concentrated on her own art, developing her distinctive signature style, exhibiting it for the first time at the age of 75. Her works are large, abstract paintings filled with patterns of bright colors.

Source: peabodyawards.com

FILM SCREENING: THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE Saturday, Feb. 23 at 1 pm

Central Park Five: A Documentary with Human Rights Commission Visit Quincy Public Library on Saturday, Feb. 23 for a special screening of the compelling documentary, Central Park Five. The film, by Ken Burns and Sarah Burns, tells the story of five teenagers who were arrested, convicted, and imprisoned for a horrid crime. After the teens spent many years in prison, the true criminal confessed. The critically acclaimed film presents a captivating look at the prison system in the United States. It addresses racism, prejudice and politics. Following the film, Macy Ferguson-Smith, MSW, a member of Quincy’s Human Rights Commission, will facilitate a discussion about the documentary.

Movie Mondays Additional adult movies will be shown during Black History Month at 5 pm every Monday in February. This year’s selections include four films: Queen of Katwe (Feb. 4), Killer of Sheep (Feb. 11), Marshall (Feb. 18), and The Learning Tree (Feb. 25).

“As a place for community, QPL works to include a diverse array of programs and services that serve to educate and enlighten area residents,” QPL’s Manager of Information Services Katie Kraushaar explained. “Community response in previous years for Black History Month has been strong. We invite all community members to come celebrate diversity.”

Take a Closer Look at History With Historical Society

BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROGRAM Sunday, Feb. 17 at 2 pm History Museum (332 Maine St.)

The History Museum invites you to take a closer look at local history during a program to commemorate Black History Month on Sunday, Feb. 17 at the History Museum at 2 pm.

The focus of the program will be on a local Buffalo Soldier known to family and friends as Garfield, presented by his descendant Troy J. Bailey. Bailey will tell the story of James Abraham Garfield Mosby’s military service during the turn of the century.

In 1898, at the age of 17, Mosby volunteered with the 8th Illinois Infantry, Company I, a Colored Company Unit, during the Spanish American War. Like African-American soldiers before them, the men of Company I were

known as Buffalo Soldiers, a name given by the Native Americans. Bailey will also celebrate Mosby’s life as a musician after his family’s move to Quincy in 1908 and how he was active in the African-American community.

The program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served after the program.

For more information, call 217-222- 1835 or visit hsqac.org.

Unsung Heroes Celebrated During Open House

Mike Smith shows students from Teen Reach family heirlooms inside the Eell's house.

OPEN TOURS Sunday, Feb. 24 from 1-4 pm Dr. Richard Eells House (415 Jersey St.)

The public is invited to the annual tour of the Dr. Richard Eells House on Sunday, FREE! Feb. 24, 2019 from 1-4 pm, located at 415 Jersey St. The event is free and the public is welcome.

The event celebrates Black History and Dr. Eells' role in helping area slaves to freedom via the Underground Railroad System. This year’s program, Unsung Heroes, will feature a kaleidoscope of stories, song, poetry and discussion tying into some of Quincy’s unsung heroes.

Mett Morris, of Quincy, will lead a discussion with song complimenting these stories of heroes in Quincy history. The program will celebrate the lives of Fr. Augustus Tolton, the first black priest in America, William “Billy” Dallas, the first black Quincy police officer to die in the line of duty in Illinois, and Col. George Iles, World-War II Tuskegee Airman.

"These influential Quincyans have received deserved recognition in recent years and we will celebrate their lives and contributions during this year’s open house," said Dave Oakley.

Dr. Richard Eells' and his home in Quincy played a historic role in the struggle to end slavery and help those trying to escape its demeaning grip.

On an August night in 1842, Charley, a runaway slave from Missouri, knocked on the back door of Dr. Richard Eells at 415 Jersey Street in Quincy. Charley was seeking freedom and Dr. Eells, an active Quincy Abolitionist, was there to help. While transporting Charley to the next site on the underground railroad, a posse searching for Charley stopped Eells’ carriage at an area that is now Madison Park and Charley fled. Regretfully, he was later found and returned to slavery in Missouri.

For his part in the rescue, Dr. Eells was prosecuted through the courts, starting with Circuit Judge Stephen Douglas in Quincy, then the Illinois Supreme Court and finally to the US

Supreme Court. While Dr. Eells was prosecuted and Charley did not find his freedom that night, we invite you to join us to celebrate their efforts to find freedom for all in the pre-Civil war era and celebrate the unsung heroes after the civil war era. The Dr. Richard Eells house is a documented site on the underground railroad.

In addition to entertainment and discussions on Black History, the board of Dr. Richard Eells house will thank the public for its annual support.

"The house is the oldest brick home in Quincy and maintaining it in pristine fashion is no small undertaking. The organization is especially appreciative to those who have supported recent campaigns and the organization's ongoing efforts to repair the roof and weather damage," Oakley said.

The Eells House offers a wide range of local history. Besides the program, you can also view and learn about the work done to refurbish the house and its period furnishings and fixtures. While the program is free, donations are fully tax deductible and any financial support is greatly appreciated. Donations can be made to the “Friends of the Dr. Richard Eells House”, and mailed to P.O. Box 628, Quincy, IL 62306.

Refreshments will be served, so please join to celebrate this important piece of Quincy and U.S. history. For more information, please call 217-257-7647.