Presented by: Presented by: Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau—Dr. Norman Moline
In Illinois, as in most places, people and communities have sought to connect with other places for personal, cultural, economic, and political reasons. Our territory was changed from a sparsely settled and minimally connected area to a place with an extensive set of linkages between communities and regions. Transportation and postal service developments have been key factors in shaping our state’s history and character.
About the presenter:
Dr. Norman Moline is professor emeritus of geography at Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois. After receiving his Ph.D. in geography from the University of Chicago, he taught human geography and environment courses for 45 years at Augustana. Two of his specializations are the historical geography of the U.S. and geography of East Asia, particularly China. Related to his interest in transportation history, his Ph.D. dissertation focused on the changes in personal mobility and the character of towns from 1900 to 1930 after the arrival of the automobile and good roads. He served two terms and has been reappointed for 2019-21 on the Illinois Historic Sites Advisory Council which acts on National Register nominations. Drawing upon his East Asia studies, in 1974 he and three colleagues initiated an eleven-week fall term study program in that region for 70 students. In 1977, that program was the first large group of American students admitted into China after its “opening.” From then until 2016, he directed or co-directed 17 student programs involving over 1,200 students, 7 alumni trips, and 5 faculty development trips to the region. Adding personal trips, he has been to China over 40 times. His presentation draws upon books, data, and on-site experiences.
Illinois Humanities is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Illinois General Assembly [through the Illinois Arts Council Agency], as well as by contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by speakers, program participants, or audiences do not necessarily reflect those of the NEH, Illinois Humanities, our partnering organizations, or our funders.
Working with FamilySearch.org
Presented by: Beth Phillips, Hayner Genealogy & Local History Library
Attention family historians! Let’s search for our ancestors in the records, books, and trees. Beth will discuss ways to search for your ancestors on this free, community-based family history tool.
8 laptops are available for classroom use.
Please set up an account on FamilySearch.org prior to class.
Presented by: Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau—Paddy & Jon Lynn, with Patti Ecker
Register Here
Spoon River Anthology, a collection of poems by Edgar Lee Masters published in 1915-16, represents a milestone in the literary history of Illinois and the United States. It was recognized as innovative not only for its creative experimentation with poetic form but also for its unvarnished representation of life in a middle-American small town through the voices of inhabitants of its cemetery, who reflect upon their experiences from beyond the grave. Previously, most poets who wrote about American small communities portrayed them as idyllic and their residents as virtuous. Masters, however, has his characters speak not only of their virtues but also of their vices, internal and interpersonal conflicts, moral dilemmas, and failures. A native of west-central Illinois, Masters based those characters largely upon people he knew in and around Lewistown. Their recognizability initially scandalized the residents of that community but made them compelling and relatable to generations of readers.
Historical actors Paddy and John Lynn will portray characters from Spoon River Anthology in costume, performing approximately 30 of the poems. Their renditions will be interspersed with folk and popular music of the period performed by singer, guitarist, and banjoist Patti Ecker.
About the presenters:
The talented trio performing Spoon River Anthology is comprised of Paddy Lynn, a Chicago-area storyteller, author, and actress; Jon Lynn, actor and retired theatre and English teacher who taught Spoon River frequently during his 35-year career; and Patti Ecker, an accomplished Chicagoland singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and entertainer.
Illinois Humanities is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Illinois General Assembly [through the Illinois Arts Council Agency], as well as by contributions from individuals, foundations and corporations.
Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by speakers, program participants, or audiences do not necessarily reflect those of the NEH, Illinois Humanities, our partnering organizations, or our funders.