Rockford museum unveils ‘We Voted’ exhibit in honor of Black History Month

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – To kick off Black History Month on Sunday, The Ethic Heritage Museum will hold its first special exhibit of the year.

From 2 to 4 p.m., Feb. 1, the “We Voted” exhibit will be unveiled at the museum at 1129 S. Main Street. The museum starts each year with a new exhibit, and this year’s showcases the history of voting within the country’s black communities.

It will highlight local African-Americans elected to public office over the years and national campaigns with members on both sides of the aisle.

The President Obama quilt, made in part by students from Booker Washington Community Center in 2010, will be on display.

At 3 p.m., Jean Lythgoe, recently retired from her position in the Local History Room at Rockford Public Library, will give a presentation titled “African-Americans in Rockford Politics.”

Additionally, former Alderman Victory Bell will sign copies of his new book “Life and trials of Victory Bell: Striving to make a positive difference.” Bell is the first African-American elected to office in Rockford and the city’s longest serving alderman in history.

The League of Women Voters will also have a registration table from 2 to 4 p.m. to register new voters and answer questions.

If you can’t make the first showing, the exhibit runs until the end of April. The Ethic Heritage Museum is open from 2 to 4 p.m. every Sunday for guided tours. For more information, visit www.ethnicheritagemuseum.org.

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