This forgotten piece of Eldorado, Illinois history features a man named Jefferson Douglas Alston. He was born a slave, became an educator, teacher and community leader, and set out on a lifelong career of advancing education for black youths in the community. The heart of the story involves his mission and the school he started in Eldorado, Illinois based on the Tuskegee model. Mr. Jackson's presentation will explain and describe what the Tuskegee model was and this overall movement across the country at the time.

We'll learn about the attack on the school and what happened in the aftermath to the remaining Black population in Eldorado and the subsequent conflict that raged for four months between the local mob and the state militia, which had been sent in by the Governor to control the situation. The presentation will put into perspective this incident and similar incidents that were going on in neighboring states and across the nation at this time. Join Groff Library for this free and handi-cap accessible event!