Powerful speech by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lisa Holder White
pekinhistory
By Jared L. Olar
Local History Program Coordinator
Three special days of honor in Peoria and Pekin this month culminated Saturday, 17 June 2023, with the dedication and unveiling of the Costley Monument and the formal opening of Legins-Costley Park in downtown Pekin.
The park’s dedication was the third of three Juneteenth-related events that were held last week to honor the sacred memories of the Peorians buried at the former Moffatt Cemetery and to laud the remarkable and heroic story of Pekin pioneer Nance Legins-Costley (1813-1892), known to history as the first African-American to be freed from slavery with the help of Abraham Lincoln.
Posted on 19 Jun 2023, 01:06 - Category: News