Community Conversations: Nicholas Welch Land Grant and Autobiography of Black Hawk

The War of 1812 had a dramatic impact on Illinois Territory, especially for those who migrated into the territory afterward and for those Native communities who were forced to migrate away from it.

In this Community Conversation, we will meet to discuss that impact using two documents to help provide context: a United States-issued land grant and a first-hand account from a Native American living in Illinois territory at the time. The Nicholas Welch land grant is believed to include a tract of land located in present-day Schuyler County, so this conversation holds specific relevance to the history of our community. In this session, we hope to explore the many meanings we attach to land and how those meanings echo today.

Bring your curiosity, your opinions, and your appetite, because The Bread Basket is bringing the snacks!

This event is free and open to the public. You do not need to be a historian to participate (but you totally can be), and no pre-work is necessary to attend.

Conversations will be facilitated by Moe Billingsley and Xochi Anderson.

Save the Dates for the rest of the series: June 28  and July 19 at 2:00 PM