Unveiling of Plaque & Dedication of Dr. Joseph Carter Corbin Gravesite as a National Historic Place5/2/2024
This past month the Historical Society of Forest Park sponsored the bronze plaque recognizing the grave of Dr. Joseph Corbin. Uli Lieb, our Treasurer, worked on navigating the wording and making sure all the pieces were in place to have this honor in our town. It is highly unusual to have the National Record of Historic Places honor a man from Ohio who made a huge impact in Arkansas be recognized in Illinois. Through years of persistence, Dr. Gladys Turner Finney a woman from Ohio, pushed for the Illinois grave to be recognized for the extraordinary life and achievements of a man who radically worked to improve the lives of Black men and women in the United States. Her devotion met up with John Rice and created this proud testament to a man that came to rest at what is now known as Forest Home Cemetery.
With representatives from the Department of the Interior, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff and Dr. Gladys Turner Finney the placard was unveiled at the chapel at Forest Home. The Plaque was then given to staff at Forest Home Cemetery to be install on his headstone. His grave is near the 290 Expressway for thousands of people to pass everyday. Dr. Joseph Corbin, was one of eleven children born in the free state of Ohio in 1833 to former enslaved parents, William and Susan Corbin. His early education included subscription schools, as well as both private and home schooling. He went to Kentucky for college prep courses. He was the second Black man to graduate from the Ohio University in 1853 with an A.B. degree and was one of the institution’s most distinguished and scholarly graduates. His mastery of classical languages including Latin, and his mathematic skills were especially noted as well as his flute, piano and organ playing. After graduation he worked in banking and as the editor and co-publisher of The Colored Citizen Newspaper, he and his wife, Mary Jane, migrated to Little Rock, Arkansas. He was elected Superintendent of Public Instruction in 1872 which therefore made him president of the board of trustees for the University of Arkansas and he recognized the need for teachers for former slaves and their families. He went to Pine Bluff to select a site and open Branch Normal College of the Arkansas Industrial University and opened the college in 1875 in a small house. He lobbied for and successfully was granted the land in 1889 for the for the school and buildings at the edge of town. He oversaw nearly every aspect of the school as an instructor, management of the dormitories for men and for women, provided his own belongings to furnish the school, cleared land, saved wood for fuel, was the custodian and even built the fence around the school to prevent trespassers. Corbin was steadfast in his belief that African American youth must build their future on something other than farming. When the political climate in Arkansas shifted he lost his position when the Republican Reconstruction government was overturned, and was unable to regain his position. He continued in Pine Bluff serving local Black community. He co-founded the Arkansas Negro Teachers Association and was president from 1898-1904. He was president of the Colored Teachers Association in 1902-1903 and Grand Master of the Negro Grand Lodge of Arkansas. He was principal of Merrill High School after his forced retirement from Branch Normal College, a position which he held until his death in his home January 9, 1911. He had a second residence in South Township Chicago and had purchased a plot of six graves in 1909 at German Waldheim Cemetery which did not have racially restrictive burial covenants. His son was the first to be buried there, followed by his wife in 1910. He was interred January 14, 1911, at the German Waldheim Cemetery (now Forest Home Cemetery) in Forest Park, Illinois, according to his desire, design, and last will. In order for the Dr. Joseph Carter Corbin Gravesite to become a landmark status, there had to be no other extant resource closely associated with his significance. No properties at Branch Normal College remain from his time there although several campus properties that have been are named in his honor including the J.C. Corbin Teaching Center, Corbin Hall, J.C. Corbin Laboratory Training School, and J. C. Corbin High School. His home in Pine Bluff is now a vacant lot. Merrill High School where he was principal from 1902-1922 was closed in 1971 when school segregation ended. Dr. Corbin was inducted posthumously into the Ohio Civil Rights Hall of Fame, October 4, 2018, for his advancement of education as a civil right for former slaves and their descendants. Illinois now is able to join in the recognition of a man that faced obstacles from every direction, yet persevered and made a tremendous impact on our society. It is through the will of a remarkable woman, Dr. Gladys Turner Finney, who was an educator who was trained through the Corbin schools that we are able to reflect and learn from the work of Dr. Joseph Carter Corbin, which rings through our nation. Around 200 people gathered in the beautiful weather to honor the Haymarket Martyrs and neighboring graves. They brought songs, engaged in friendly political debates, and laid roses. It's an honor to share information and respond to questions on such occasions. The Historical Society of Forest Park presented the Mark Rogovin: Working Class Heroes Award this May Day to President Larry Spivack, who not only serves as the head of the Illinois Labor History Society but also holds the former Union Vice President of AFSCME Local 31. Renowned for its commitment to preserving labor history, the Illinois Labor History Society has been an ally of our Historical Society of Forest Park, overseeing the upkeep of the Haymarket Monument situated within our community. President Larry Spivack stands as a stalwart advocate for Illinois Labor History and the rights of workers, drawing countless visitors from across the state to Forest Park. Mark and Larry collaborated tirelessly over the years in their shared endeavor to safeguard the legacy of the Haymarket Martyrs' Monument. It is with great pleasure that we bestow this award upon Larry, in recognition of his unwavering dedication and contributions to the cause.
Join us on a journey to Forest Home Cemetery, where every May Day, a diverse array of individuals—from anarchists and communists to socialists, labor historians, union members, and the simply curious—gather to honor the legacy of the Haymarket Martyrs. The spirit of solidarity and remembrance shines brightly as people converge from across Chicagoland and the globe.
Witness the camaraderie and reverence as attendees pay homage to those who gave their lives in the struggle for workers' rights, justice, and freedom. This video captures the essence of May Day 2023, offering a glimpse into a unique and powerful tradition that continues to inspire and unite generations. Join us every year in Forest Park, Illinois, in commemorating the Haymarket Martyrs and celebrating the ongoing fight for social and economic justice. Lucy Parsons, generally known as a widow of one of the Haymarket martyrs, was a giant in the labor movement herself. Considered “more dangerous than a thousand rioters” by the Chicago police, her story is complex and nuanced and still being debated to this day. Amy Binns-Calvey, volunteer at the Forest Park Historical Society, will give an hour-long presentation on Lucy’s life and work. Thursday, March 28, 2024 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Hosted by the Historical Society of Forest Park and Forest Park Public Library. Forest Park, Illinois. Correction the quote on the Haymarket Martyrs Monument is: "The day will come when our silence will be more powerful than the voices you are throttling today" Artist Keaton Bell visited the Forest Park Library to conduct a hands-on drawing and collage program centered around Black History. During the event, attendees had the opportunity to explore the concept of Afrofuturism. Afrofuturism is a cultural aesthetic and philosophy that combines elements of science fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, and Afrocentrism. It imagines alternative futures or reimagines historical narratives through a lens that centers on the experiences and perspectives of people of African descent. This genre often explores themes such as identity, race, technology, and social justice within speculative and imaginative contexts. Afrofuturism can manifest in various art forms, including literature, music, visual art, and film. It celebrates Black culture while also challenging traditional narratives and stereotypes, offering a space for imagining new possibilities and empowering marginalized communities. Through Afrofuturism, artists and creators envision futures where Black people play central and empowered roles, where cultural heritage is embraced and celebrated, and where social and technological advancements are accessible to all. What fantasist group for this year’s Black History Month Community Quilt. This year we made log cabin quilt blocks. The log cabin was used in a quilt or drawn on the ground to indicate that the people here are safe to speak with on the Underground Railroad.
Community quilts from the last three years are on display at the Forest Park Public Library for the month of February. On January 19th, Scratch Public House hosted a real ducky prohibition speakeasy bash, sponsored by April Baker Homes. The joint was swingin' to the Ragtime Roustabouts, and Jill Wagner laid down the lowdown on Forest Park's prohibition history. The giggle water flowed, the cats and dolls were on cloud nine – it was the cat's pajamas, a bona fide good time! Thank you to our event sponsorDear Members and Supporters of the Historical Society of Forest Park,
As we bid farewell to 2023, it is with great pride and enthusiasm that we reflect on the memorable events and moments that have defined our year at the Historical Society of Forest Park. Our community has come together to celebrate history, culture, and the remarkable individuals who have contributed to our shared heritage. The year kicked off with a vibrant and educational Black History Month programming in collaboration with the Forest Park Library. Participants delved into the rich history of the Underground Railroad through engaging discussions on quilt patterns and came together to create a Gee Bend-inspired community quilt—a testament to the strength of unity and creativity within our community. HSFP and Kiwanis Trivia Night at Duffy's had everyone searching their memories and counting the places in Forest Park you could get tacos. We'll be announcing the date for this years Trivia night soon. During Women's History Month, Forest Park Public library hosted Amy Binns-Calvey, who spoke to a packed house about Emma Goldman, who rest sat Radical Row in Forest Home Cemetery. Women's history month was marked the release of the first volume of our zine, "7 Women Who Inspired Forest Park," In May, we honored John Rice at our May Day outdoor exhibit, presenting him with the esteemed "Mark Rogovin: Working Class Hero Award." Rice's tireless efforts, alongside Gladys Turner, to promote the legacy of Dr. Joseph Corbin, founder of the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff, resulted in the well-deserved National Register of Historic Places status for this significant institution. We marked the release of our latest Anthony Landahl film, "Bloomer Girls," our own League of Their Own with a screening at the Eagles Hall. Our Morning at the Museum event in May brought together enthusiasts and fans of 16 Inch Softball, celebrating its induction into the Hall of Fame. German Fest provided a platform to share the history of the Haase family and Altenheim through our old-timey photo booth, bringing the past to life in a fun and engaging manner. The Garden Walk, our most successful to date, owes much of its triumph to the generous support of sponsors like the Gillian Baker Team, Grand Appliance, and Lauren Burjan @Properties. Our annual Scarecrows event, in collaboration with the Forest Park Art Alliance, once again transformed Forest Park into a whimsical and sometimes spooky display of creativity and community spirit. Throughout the year, we explored the Forest Home Cemetery through Haymarket Martyrs Monument tours, bike tours, school field trips, and walks with the library. At our annual meeting, we were delighted to present Anthony Landahl with the prestigious Dr. Frank Orland Award for his outstanding contributions to researching, writing, editing, and narrating short films for the HSFP. Keep an eye out for our upcoming release, Coffins for Axis. We played bingo and sang at the Eagles hall for our Member Appreciation Party in November. In a heartwarming collaboration with Commissioner Michelle Melin-Rogovin, we participated in three Operation Rising Spirit events, collectively writing 257 cards for veterans in Illinois care homes—a small gesture of gratitude for their sacrifice and service. As we look ahead to the new year, we are excited to kick off 2024 with our Speakeasy Prohibition Party on January 19th, promising another year filled with engaging events, community collaboration, and a continued commitment to preserving and sharing the rich history of Forest Park. Thank you to our dedicated members, volunteers, and supporters for making 2023 a truly exceptional year for the Historical Society of Forest Park. Wishing you all a joyful holiday season and a Happy New Year! Sincerely, Alexis Ellers, Executive Director and the Board of Director Operation Rising Spirit Forest Park, a partnership with the Historical Society of Forest Park and Commissioner Michelle Melin- Rogovin was a great success! Today our volunteers at the American Legion made and wrote 85 cards, bringing our Forest Park total to 257 cards for veterans in Illinois care homes.
We held a total of three events in the Forest Park community hosting 50 total people to educate our community about Forest Park’s veteran stories and our Navy torpedo factory in WW2, while we made holiday cards for veterans. Our free events created joy and community this season and will be delivered throughout the state. Our events included involvement and participation from Forest Park businesses, groups and organizations: Forest Park Public Library American Legion Forest Park, Forest Park Boy Scouts Troop 107, The Brown Cow, the Dive Bar Letter Writers, Team Blonde Boutique, Spa, Salon, Explore Forest Park, Duffy's Tavern Forest Park Living Fresh Market, Forest Park Thanks to everyone for your participation |
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