Education and community development are longstanding priorities for organizers of this year’s expanded Juneteenth Day celebration. “Galveston is the home of Juneteenth, but Springfield is the home of Lincoln. This is why we want to make (this year’s) celebration big,” said Shymeka Kerr-Gregory, who serves as co-director of Juneteenth, Inc., which organizes Springfield’s Juneteenth Day […]
Culture
Posted inArts & Culture
History is their story and ours
Route History, a Springfield museum that opened in 2019 to share stories about the tragedy, resilience and excellence of Black people along historic Route 66, is the brainchild of Dr. Gina Lathan. “I’m a researcher by trade, and when I became a grandma, I wanted to make sure my grandson, Blake, knew he came from […]
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Blacks in Springfield theater
You have been in theater for nearly 20 years. What is it about the stage that keeps you coming back for more? Reggie Guyton: Theater has saved my life. It gave me purpose and understanding. There’s something about sinking into roles or a script that gives you a sense of distraction. During some of my […]
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African American History Museum expands outreach
Nalo Mitchell’s “aha moment,” after serving two months as the inaugural executive director of the Springfield and Central Illinois African American History Museum, is the willingness of individuals to share their personal and familial histories, even if they are difficult or emotional, and how it has shaped them as individuals. These stories continually improve and […]
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Ways to celebrate Juneteenth citywide
Illinois’ newest state holiday is a 158-year-old celebration of freedom. Although Juneteenth has been celebrated in Springfield for over 20 years, it did not become an official state holiday until 2021 when Gov. JB Pritzker signed a bill to commemorate June 19, 1865, the date when the last enslaved Black people in the U.S. learned […]
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Resurrecting Billy Sunday
Part commemoration, part reenactment and part revival, the Billy Sunday 1909 Celebration: “Six Weeks that Saved the Soul of Springfield” (A Trilogy, Part 1) blew through the capital city like a Pentecostal whirlwind May 28, inspiring and energizing a faithful crowd of about 300 at the Bank of Springfield (BOS) Center. Sponsored by the Ministerial […]
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Underground railroad conductor
This week the Illinois General Assembly approved legislation to create the Illinois Underground Railroad Task Force. This bill was sponsored by 24 legislators from all parts of Illinois and from both sides of the aisle in both the House and Senate. The task force will be charged with connecting existing local projects and new projects […]
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Remembering an early Springfield leader
A large, red brick, Italianate home stands at Eighth and Cook streets, just a block from the Elijah Iles House at Seventh and Cook. Built in 1865, it was the home of Dr. Henry Wohlgemuth, who influenced Springfield in his work as a physician, city alderman and longtime president of Oak Ridge Cemetery. Without him, […]
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Please hurry, spring
Gazing through the frosty glass, my eyes fixed on winter’s gray gloom. Beyond the snow-crusted stubbles of yesterday’s corn, black and naked trees clawed at the sky desperate for the sun. Day-dreaming in the fading twilight, my thoughts turned back to the dawn of last spring; sunshine and showers brought rainbows to the hills where […]
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Chihuly in the garden
The Sun is rising in St. Louis this year and is sure to be a big hit. That’s because the Missouri Botanical Garden is hosting an exhibit of world-famous artist Dale Chihuly’s blown glass sculptures, including “Sun” in the day lily area. “It is a large yellow and red sculpture with hundreds of pieces of […]
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Go the distance
Now that the weather has warmed (hopefully for good) and the days have gotten sunnier and longer, I’ve noticed an increase in the number of walkers and joggers rushing past my front window. Whether you are a longtime or novice runner or walker, this spring in Springfield offers plenty of shorter-distance race opportunities to test […]
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Flower power
The Washington Park Botanical Garden is a tropical respite for skilled hobbyists and curious amateurs alike. What better way to kick off your spring season than by seeing some of the best flowers Springfield has to offer at the Washington Park Botanical Garden’s 49th annual Spring Floral Display? Alexa Bryan Potts, botanical general manager, says […]
