SPEAKER SERIES PRESENTATION NOVEMBER 8TH
The Mississippi river town of Kaskaskia was a frontier boomtown, playing an important role in the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. When Illinois was admitted to the Union in 1818, it became the first state capital. Then, the Mighty Mississippi, Kaskaskia’s source of prosperity, turned on the town, swallowing most of it up. The force of the river cut the remaining land into an island located now on the western side of the Mississippi, the only part of Illinois with this geographical distinction. This once prosperous seat of government and commerce now has only a handful of residents and is accessible only through Missouri.
Kaskaskia is full of historical surprises you wouldn’t expect. From its background as a politically important location to the way in which its geography has changed, there are plenty of interesting things to discover about this little town.
Historian Emily Lyons will present the fascinating history of this oldest, Illinois town on Wednesday, November 8th at 7 p.m. at the museum learning center theatre room.
Her presentation is sponsored by Rozier’s Country Mart.
The presentation is free to museum members. Otherwise, museum admission will apply.