News and Events

On Saturday, August 20, 2022 at 11:00 AM DuSable Heritage Association will join fellow members of the DuSable Park Coalition at Pioneer Court (401 N. Michigan Ave, Chicago) to honor the memory of the Haitian-born founder of the City of Chicago, Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable. On that day, we will pay homage to DuSable’s foresight in establishing his settlement at the mouth of the Chicago River and celebrate his legacy of entrepreneurship and multiculturalism. We will also highlight the Chicago Park District selection of the design team as a turning point in the actualization of the long-overdue DuSable Park.

The celebration includes:

A Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the DuSable Bust location—As in the past, we expect public officials, civic organization leaders, and other stakeholders to be in attendance. This year again, faculty and students at the University of Illinois at Chicago DuSable Scholars Program will actively participate in the event

A Walking Tour of the DuSable Founders Trail--a mile-long historical walk departing from the Bust and proceeding along the south side of the Riverwalk, while a guide recounts Chicago’s history from the pre-DuSable era to its beginnings as a city. The tour concludes across from the construction site of DuSable Park.

Lastly, a Showcase by The Floating Museum of its 25-foot Founders Inflatable Sculpture—a spectacular artwork that pays tribute to DuSable, Kittihawa (DuSable’s wife), Mayor Washington near DuSable Harbor

The Commemoration ends around 1:30 PM.

The event is free and the Humanities 2020 Mellon grant will reimburse for public transportation.

Event info: https://www.dusableheritage.com/dusable-memorial

Email Ryan Walters, rwalters@lakeforest.edu, with questions.