The digitization of privately held historical sources relating to the African American experience in the western Illinois city of Galesburg, which served as a stopping point along the Underground Railroad in the 19th century. Among the materials anticipated for digitization are memoirs, photographs, news clippings, and records from African American businesses and churches documenting the local black community’s participation in the Civil War and World War I, along with 20th century civil rights activities and daily life in the community. New content would be contributed to digital collections maintained by a statewide academic library consortium. The project would also include several public programs, including a media production of the digitization events, an exhibition of selected sources gathered from the community, a public lecture, and a panel discussion bringing together humanities scholars and community members at the Galesburg Public Library.

Knox College and its partners propose to document the experience of African American citizens in Galesburg, Illinois. The project will offer three community digitization days; the resulting digital objects and associated metadata will enrich a publicly accessible digital repository entitled Struggle and Progress. Five public humanities events will be offered over the grant period, from the screening of video from the community digitization days, to a lecture on the history of African Americans in Galesburg, to an Oral History Story Day, at which citizens who contributed objects for digitization will discuss their particular experiences, personal and family stories of struggle and progress. Themes about African Americans to be explored include civic, social, religious and business life; participation in wars; prejudice, discrimination; segregation, integration; public education; and voting rights. The project goal is to enhance a sense of inclusiveness in the Galesburg community.