Historian's program explores Illinois' literary heritage

Visitors can explore Illinois' world-famous memoirs and literary heritage with historian John Hallwas, an Illinois Humanities "Road Scholar," at "Illinois Memoirs: Our Story and Your Opportunity."

The program will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Nov. 16, at Mayslake Peabody Estate at 1717 W. 31st St. in Oak Brook.

Hallwas will discuss Illinois' rich literary heritage, including Chief Black Hawk's autobiography - the first by a Native American to be published in the United States; Ulysses S. Grant's memoirs from the Civil War; and Jane Addams' "Twenty Years at Hull House," one of the most celebrated autobiographies by a female American author.

An expert on the literature of Illinois, Hallwas is well-known for his many books about the state and the Midwest and has written or edited more than two dozen books and monographs.

He has published books and articles on 90 Illinois authors and written extensively on Illinois-related topics such as frontier life, small-town experience, outlaws, women's responses to social challenges, and the culture of western Illinois. He is a distinguished professor emeritus at Western Illinois University, his alma mater.

The free program is for ages 18 and older; register online or at (630) 206-9566.

The program is produced in part by the Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau, which provides organizations statewide with affordable, entertaining and thought-provoking humanities events for their communities.

A roster of speakers, hailing from 20 different towns and cities across Illinois, present topics in history, culture, literature, music, politics, law and science.