Thursday, February 18 at 6:00pm. The CCA presents Dinner & a Little History “The Great Migration & Chicago” following a delicious dinner with fellow history enthusiasts at the Public Landing Restaurant, alongside the I&M Canal in Lockport.
2016 is the 100th anniversary of the Great Migration— when waves of southern African American migrants flooded into Chicago during the early part of the 20th Century. The Canal Corridor Association is proud to host Author Bernard Turner, who will illustrate the stories of these people who left everything behind for the promise of a better life. Explore this truly fascinating transformative period in the history of African-Americans, American cities, and the American working class and how it forever changed Chicago’s history and culture.
Learn more about this fascinating subject while enjoying an evening of drinks, dining and discussion along the I&M Canal. It’s sure to be an evening to remember.
“I think people are going to be surprised by the things they don’t know about the early years of Chicago” says Mr. Turner. “This subject is one that’s very close to my heart and I look forward to sharing with the group.”
Drinks begin at 6:00, dinner at 6:30. The lecture will follow at 7:30. Dinner will be a delicious buffet featuring tender chicken picatta, herb roasted pork loin, vegetarian pasta marinara, chef’s fresh vegetable & garlic mashed potatoes. Also includes salad with homemade poppyseed & Italian vinaigrette dressing, pretzel rolls, & dessert.
Bernard Turner is founder of Highlights of Chicago Press. When he’s not giving tours of Bronzeville, Bernard chairs the educational curriculum committee for the Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Commission for the Great Migration Centennial in 2016 which will feature major exhibitions, performances, symposia and workshops, humanities programs, educational programs, film and culinary events. He is also on the board of the Camp Douglas Restoration Foundation.
This dinner lecture is sponsored by the Canal Corridor Association, coordinating entity for the I&M Canal National Heritage Area, 100 miles filled with simple pleasures and natural treasures along one of America’s most historically significant waterways. For more information on the historic cities and towns, prairies, parks and preserves that make up the I&M Canal National Heritage Area, visit the Lock 16 Visitor Center, located at 754 First Street in LaSalle, IL, or visit us online at www.iandmcanal.org.
