The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Rally Plaque

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Institution Name: Illinois College
Original/Historic Place Name: Rally Plaque
Location on Campus: Sturtevant Dr.
Date(s) of Construction and Designer(s):

n.d.	installation of memorial plaque Unknown

Type of Place: Landscape site
Type of landscape–

Small-scale features:
Plaque and benches located nearby; plaque calls attention to a rally held on the site to protest the 1837 murder of abolitionist Elijah Lovejoy.
Other characteristics:
Yes

Function:

ca. 2004-present (2007)

memorial site

Significance: architecture, culture, history, landscape
Landmark designation:

none

Narrative: see below
References: see below

Narrative:
Days after a mob assasinated abolitionist publisher Elijah Lovejoy in Alton, Illinois, students expressed their support for his anti-slavery views with a public demonstration on the Illinois College campus. Lovejoy's good friend, Illinois College President Edward Beecher, had just returned to Jacksonville after helping the journalist protect his printing press before word of Lovejoy's murder reached campus. The rally took place in front of the College Building (which was destroyed by fire in 1852) and came at a time when the pro-slavery views of many of the young community's residents threatened to drown out dissent. The event was significant because it served notice that the anti-slavery movement had a growing presence on campus. A plaque located near the site of the rally now calls attention to that moment when students and faculty raised their voices in support of abolition.

References:

I. Bibliographic sources:

Caine, L. Vernon. To Heights Beyond. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 1986.

Frank, Charles E. Pioneer's Progress: Illinois College, 1829-1979. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 1979.

Hopper, Doris Broehl. David A. Smith: Abolitionist, Patron of Learning, Prairie Lawyer. Jacksonville, IL: Branstiter Printing Company, 2003

Rammelkamp, Charles H. Illinois College, a Centennial History: 1829-1929. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1928.

Yeager, Iver F. Julian M. Sturtevant--1805-1886: President of Illinois College, Ardent Churchman, Reflective Author. Jacksonville, IL: Trustees of Illinois College, 1999.

Yeager, Iver F., ed. Sesquicentennial Papers--Illinois College. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 1982.

II. Location of other data:

University: Library, Special Collections