2021 ISHS History Symposium

Symposium Overview

The 2021 ISHS History Symposium will be online starting April 15. The program is a combination of recorded, on-demand sessions and live sessions (April 22-24). With the theme "Changing Historical Landscapes," the lineup features historians, artists, and community members engaged in efforts to reimagine, reinvigorate, and revise commemoration and historical interpretation throughout the state.

Live sessions will be broadcast via Zoom Webinar and the ISHS YouTube Channel. Attendees must complete a simple, free registration for each live session.

Live Session Schedule

"The Chicago Monuments Project, Race, and Radical Imagination"

Thursday, April 22, 4:15pm-5:00pm

A conversation with William Estrada, artist and Chicago Monuments Project Advisory Committee Member. Moderated by Dr. Hinda Seif, Associate Professor of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Illinois Springfield.

"The Springfield Equal Justice Project: An Interactive Conversation about the Origin and Purpose of SEJP and Authentic Storytelling of our State’s History"

Friday, April 23, Noon to 1:00 pm

Nancy Sage, SEJP Convener and Executive Director of the Jewish Federation of Springfield Atty. Shannon Dewith-McCormick, SEJP Co-Chair and Lead Strategist for Dewith and Associates Cinnamon Catlin-Legutko, SEJP Co-Chair and Director of the Illinois State Museum

"Black History in the Suburbs"

Friday, April 23, 1:30-2:30 pm

A conversation with Dino Robinson, Founder, Shorefront Legacy Center, Evanston, IL Moderated by Dr. Tim Draper, Professor of History, Waubonsee Community College

Symposium Keynote

Friday, April 23, 7:00 to 8:00 pm

SANTIAGO X (Koasati and Hacha.Maori), Chicago-based indigenous-futurist artist and landscape architect

Plenary Panel "Considering Monuments"

Saturday, April 24, 1:00pm-1:45pm

Sherry Williams, President, Bronzeville Historical Society
Walt Williams, Economic/Community Development Director, City of Edwardsville
Moderator: Dr. David Joens, Director, Illinois State Archives
*Watch an initial panel discussion on-demand starting April 15, which includes Andrea Aggert, Architect of the Illinois Capitol

Film Discussion: "Lincoln and Douglas: Touring Illinois in Turbulent Times"

Saturday, April 24, 2:00-2:45 pm

Dr. Graham Peck, Wepner Distinguished Professor of Lincoln Studies, University of Illinois Springfield
Dr. Nathan Peck, Associate Professor of Art and Design, St. Xavier University
Sunshine Clemons, Co-Founder, Springfield Black Lives Matter

On-Demand Recorded Sessions

Available starting April 15 at historyillinois.org and the ISHS YouTube channel

“A Sculptor’s Perspective: John McClarey”

Dr. Mark Pohlad, Associate Professor of Art History, DePaul University, interviews John McClarey about his work
access video

“Decolonizing and Indigenizing Museum Programming”

Jenn Edginton, Director of Interpretation, Illinois State Museum
Heather Bruegl (Oneida/Stockbridge Munsee), Director of Cultural Affairs at Stockbridge-Munsee, Wisconsin, Community
David O’Connor (Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa), Education Consultant, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
access video

“Considering Monuments”

Sherry Williams, President, Bronzeville Historical Society
Andrea Aggert, Architect of the Capitol
Walt Williams, Economic/Community Development Director, City of Edwardsville
Dr. David Joens, Director, Illinois State Archives (Moderator)
access video *See also the companion live discussion of this panel above

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