African American History

Greenwood Cemetery has been through a major transformation in recent years. This week, the historic Black cemetery is celebrating its 150th anniversary and a renewed push to restore and preserve its grounds.

New Philadelphia, a small Pike County, Illinois, town rich in history, is making headlines nearly 200 years after it was founded. It made a name for itself in 1836 when it became the first town legally registered and platted by a formerly enslaved person. Recently, the town site became the nation’s 424th national park.

Florissant music teacher Anthony Griffin raised over $700 for 10 African djembes for his first and second grade students at Commons Lane Elementary School. The drums will help students learn about music that is rooted in Black American heritage and culture.

From May through November, bus tours will lead visitors through the rich Black history of Alton.

The Griot Museum of Black History will soon receive a public art installation by a world-renowned Black architect. David Adjaye is creating a work that will share the St. Louis region’s Black history.

Officials are hoping African School #4’s reconstruction at Faust Park Historic Village is complete either by the end of the year or early in 2023.

Historian Katie Moon describes notable women who shaped St. Louis history.

Somi Kakoma discusses “Dreaming Zenzile,” the musical she wrote and starred in, which just had its world premiere at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. The play tells the story of South African singer Miriam Makeba.

A one-room schoolhouse built in 1894 for African American children is moving to a St. Louis County park where it will be restored. African School #4 had been converted into a garage after the schoolhouse closed in the 1950s.

Matt Meacham of Illinois Humanities delves into two exhibitions currently touring the state: the Smithsonian's “Voices and Votes: Democracy in America” and the “Illinois Freedom Project.”