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Join the Elgin History Museum in examining the journeys of former slaves--known as contrabands--that arrived in Elgin aboard two railroad box cars in 1862.
Project 2-3-1 is an award winning documentary that explores the beginnings and growth of the black community in Elgin, Illinois. In 1862, two boxcars carrying freed-slaves from Alabama and Mississippi arrived in Elgin. These 110 ex-slaves, mostly women and children, were put up overnight at the Kimball House hotel and placed in the homes of sympathetic families the following day. For years most of these families lived in “The Settlement”--a 3 block area east of the river and west of Liberty street.
A traveling exhibit currently housed at the Elgin History Museum complements the documentary. This program will spotlight the exhibit and the insight it provides about Elgin's first African American families. A Zoom link will be provided to all registrants on or before the date of the presentation.
Please register with a valid email address.
