2025 Upcoming sessions
Icarian Apartments - Nauvoo 1908
The Untold Nauvoo Stories Committee announced that the 2025 edition of the Untold Nauvoo Stories Symposium will be held at the Nauvoo City Center at 1445 Mulholland Street. This year’s symposium promises to be an unforgettable journey through the lesser-known narratives that have shaped Nauvoo and its neighboring areas, providing attendees with a unique lens into the rich tapestry of local history.
Here is a sneak preview of four of the upcoming sessions:
Warsaw, Nemesis of Early Nauvoo, by Brian Stutzman.
Situated just 18 miles south of Nauvoo, Warsaw transitioned from a welcoming community to a hotbed of anti-Mormon sentiment in the tumultuous 1840s. Once allies, the residents of Nauvoo helped Warsaw establish a university and even charter a Masonic Lodge, dreaming of a lucrative railroad connecting the two towns. However, as tensions brewed, Warsaw became the birthplace of an anti-Mormon political faction, culminating in the tragic assassination of Joseph Smith—the first presidential candidate to meet such a fate. Stutzman, an expert on Hancock County history and author of *The History of Warsaw, Illinois*, will also share the harrowing tale of Eliza Graham, a waitress who served the assailants in the immediate aftermath and bravely testified against them in a Carthage courtroom.
Happenings and Livelihood of a Master Builder’s Lifetime in Nauvoo, by Dale Harris.
Dale Harris will take attendees on a historical exploration of the stone quarries that supplied the beautiful materials for Nauvoo’s architectural masterpieces. A lifelong resident of the area, Harris brings a personal touch to this vibrant history, inviting participants to discover how these quarries helped shape the region’s identity.
Chief Black Hawk, by Russ Fry.
Russ Fry is set to reveal shocking secrets in his documentary, “Chief Black Hawk.” Known as a formidable leader during the Sauk War, Black Hawk’s remains were long thought to have perished in a museum fire in Burlington, Iowa, in 1853. Fry presents compelling evidence that challenges this narrative, promising a revelation that could reshape our understanding of this historical figure’s legacy.
As an award-winning documentarian and author focused on historical events in southeast Iowa and west-central Illinois, Fry brings a wealth of knowledge and storytelling prowess to the symposium. He resides in Burlington with his wife Beverly and is deeply passionate about uncovering local history.
Local History, National Hate: Quincy, Illinois and the Ku Klux Klan of the 1920s, by Nancy Benz.
This presentation explores the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s, focusing on its impact on rural America, specifically in Quincy, Illinois. During this period, the Klan expanded its influence beyond the South, infiltrating communities across the Midwest, including Adams County. The presentation will delve into how the Klan's message of white supremacy, anti-immigrant sentiment, and religious intolerance found fertile ground in small towns like Quincy, shaping local social dynamics and leaving a lasting imprint on the region's history.
Nancy Benz, M.A. is the Curator of Collections and Exhibits at the Quincy Museum. She holds degrees in American History from Quincy University and Western Illinois University. Nancy has 10 years of public history experience and owns Tracking Your History: Family & History Preservation Services. She has studied the Ku Klux Klan, its auxiliaries, and its women’s counterparts since undergraduate school.
Previews of other presentations will appear in these pages over the next few months. From impactful lectures to engaging discussions, the Untold Nauvoo Stories Symposium is a remarkable opportunity to connect with the past and appreciate the complexities that have formed the heart of our communities. Don’t miss out on this unique cultural event—mark your calendars for February 7-8, 2025!
by Alan Moberly
