MACOMB — The Western Illinois Museum, in partnership with Macomb’s Shared Community Action Group, invites the public to commemorate the birthday of civil rights leader Dr. Reverend C.T. Vivian with a special afternoon of reflection, learning, and community on Sunday, July 20th, beginning at 1:30 pm.
Born on July 30, 1924, and raised in Macomb, Vivian was a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement and devoted his life to the pursuit of justice through nonviolent activism.
To honor his legacy, the Museum will host a short program at 1:30 pm that will include a video compilation of oral history interviews with Vivian’s daughters JoAnne Walker and Denise Morse, offering intimate insights into his life and values. Guests will also enjoy birthday cake, ice cream, and time to socialize.
At 3:00 pm, the critically acclaimed PBS documentary Freedom Riders (2010) will be screened. This powerful film tells the story of the courageous interracial group of activists who, in 1961, challenged segregation in the Deep South by riding interstate buses.
Among those riders was a young C.T.
Vivian, who was arrested in Jackson, Mississippi, for his involvement. The film runs 120 minutes and is not rated.
Following the screening, attendees are invited to stay for a pizza dinner and take part in an informal conversation about the film’s powerful and thought-provoking stories. A suggested donation of $5 at the door helps support the Museum’s programs.
C.T. Vivian’s work as part of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made him a leading voice for nonviolence. His activism began in Nashville under the mentorship of James Lawson, who taught strategies of nonviolent resistance inspired by Gandhi. Vivian would go on to participate in sit-ins, Freedom Rides, and major national campaigns for civil rights.
The Freedom Riders began their journey on May 4, 1961, with just 13 riders testing Supreme Court rulings against segregation in interstate travel.
Over the next five months, more than 400 Black and white Americans joined the movement. Key leaders included John Lewis, Diane Nash, James Farmer, and C.T. Vivian. Their bravery and commitment to nonviolence ultimately led to federal action: on September 22, 1961, the Interstate Commerce Commission banned segregation in all interstate bus facilities, with enforcement beginning on November 1, 1961.
This event is part of the Museum’s ongoing series, A Throughline in Black History, which explores pivotal figures and turning points in African American history through film, storytelling, and scholarship. The series aims to foster community dialogue around themes of race, resistance, and resilience.
Event Schedule – Sunday, July 20, 2025 1:30 pm – Short program with oral history viewing, cake and ice cream 3:00 pm – Screening of Freedom Riders (120 min, not rated) 4:20 pm – A pizza dinner and a informal conversation The next program in the Throughline in Black History series will take place on Tuesday, August 19th, when we welcome Professor Patrick Hotle to share his research on the abolitionist movement along the Missouri-Illinois border. His talk will highlight the crucial role Illinois abolitionists played in the Dred Scott case.
The Western Illinois Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to celebrating and preserving the history, culture, and traditions of McDonough County. Located in a historic building just one block south of Macomb’s Courthouse Square at 201 S. Lafayette Street, the Museum hosts exhibits, lectures, music, and other events that bring the community together. Free parking is available, and the building is fully accessible.
For more information, please call 309-837-2750, text 309-837-2613, or email [email protected]. A full schedule of events is available at wimuseum.org and on social media @ wimuseum.
