A joint service of Bradley University and Illinois State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Traveling exhibit highlights Elgin black history documentary

A traveling exhibit which complements a documentary about the history of blacks in Elgin is on display at the Gail Borden Public Library. 
The display is based on the 90-minute documentary, "Project 2-3-1: 2 Boxcars, 3 Blocks, 1 City." The film will be shown at the library Tuesday, June 2 and July 28. 
The title refers to the two train-cars of ex-slaves that arrived in Elgin in 1862 and the three-block area called "The Settlement" where they were required to live.
Elgin resident Ernie Broadnax created the project with Grindstone Productions and the Elgin Area Historical Society. Grindstone's Phil Broxham interviewed three dozen people in three states.  
Broxham says "it was an important story to be told."
 
  

The Associated Press is one of the largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering, supplying a steady stream of news to its members, international subscribers and commercial customers. AP is neither privately owned nor government-funded; instead, it's a not-for-profit news cooperative owned by its American newspaper and broadcast members.