The Western Illinois Museum is pleased to announce a series of community conversations centered on the theme History Belongs to All of Us. Over four months, the series will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence through primary sources, local scholarship, and shared community experiences. Programs will be held at the Western Illinois Museum on Thursdays, beginning April 16. The evening will start at 5:30 p.m. with a Larry A’s Pizza supper, followed by conversation and dessert at 6:30 p.m. A suggested $5 donation will be accepted at the door.
History Belongs to All of Us is a statewide initiative created and supported by Illinois Humanities, designed to invite Illinois residents to explore how local history connects to the national story and to see themselves reflected in the country’s broader history. Each conversation will bring together residents of west central Illinois to talk about where they come from, what they have inherited, and what they hope to pass on to future generations.
The series uses a toolkit created by Illinois Humanities, which also provided facilitator training to 12 organizations, including the Western Illinois Museum. Executive Director Sue Scott commented, “The training focused on using conversation to cultivate trust, empathy, and deeper connections to history and to one another. The Museum is proud to join humanities organizations across the state in finding meaningful, locally grounded ways to mark this national milestone.”
April 16: Opening Dialogue
The opening dialogue for the series focuses on the Declaration of Independence, the founding document of the United States. Through reading and conversation, participants will be reacquainted with the Declaration and consider how it asserts a form of government intended to empower a free and equal citizenry in contrast to a tyrannical monarchy. This opening conversation introduces the themes of the series and invites participants to reflect on how national and local anniversaries shape our understanding of history.
May 28: Land Grant and Nicholas Welch Conversation This conversation focuses on the Museum’s War of 1812 Land Grant and considers how paying soldiers with land catalyzed American population expansion. Issued to Nicholas Welch, the document raises several questions about migration, land ownership, and settlement.
After the conversation, guests will have an opportunity to tour the McDonough County Genealogical Society’s research center and learn about the resources available to help trace family histories.
June 18: Life of Ma-Ka-Tai-Me-She-Kia-Kiak Using the 1833 autobiography Life of Ma-Ka-Tai-Me-She-Kia-Kiak, or Black Hawk, this conversation focuses on people’s relationship with land. Through the writing of this Sauk leader and warrior, participants will explore and discuss his perspective on migration, land use, and ownership.
July 16: Concluding Community Conversation The series concludes with a conversation about how we express our current understanding of history and its ability to convey our values. Participants are invited to bring a personal memorial item and share stories, reflecting on how memory, history, and community shape what we pass on to future generations.
By creating opportunities to engage with primary sources, listen to one another, and think together about shared history, the Western Illinois Museum is proud to help ensure that history truly belongs to all of us.
The Western Illinois Museum, located at 201 S.
Lafayette Street in Macomb. Find the full schedule of events at wimuseum.org, or follow on social media @wimuseum. For more information, call 309-8372750, text 309-837-2613, or email info@wimuseum. org. The building is fully accessible and free accessible parking is available.
