On Thursday, April 24, Chillicothe Public Library will host a unique opportunity to celebrate Chillicothe’s connections to Illinois River history and ecology, and to explore the impact of the river on the local economy. Brian “Fox” Ellis, well-known storyteller, author, and naturalist, will present two public programs, both of which offer attendees the chance to share their own perspectives, as well. 

At 3:30pm, local officials, Chamber of Commerce members, and any interested citizens may join Ellis as he facilitates a discussion of river history, ecological and historical tourism, and how the river plays a role in the Chillicothe community’s economic development. 

At 6pm, Ellis will present “A River of Stories: The History and Natural History of the Illinois River,” exploring the human and natural past of the heartland’s river road through a dynamic presentation. Attendees will hear the legends of the original inhabitants of the area; travel in canoes and keelboats with the first non-indigenous settlers of this region; listen to the tall tales, jokes, and river history through the writings of Mark Twain and Abe Lincoln; and learn the ecological history of this diverse habitat from plate tectonics and glaciations to woolly mammoths and buffalo grass. The program is best suited for adults, teens, and children aged six and older. Everyone is invited to stick around after the formal program for a chance to share their own personal river stories, concerns, and hopes. 

These programs are presented with funding from Illinois Humanities Council’s Rural Foreground Initiative, and are also part of a multiyear project through the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development at DePaul University, exploring river towns and how they connect to the river historically, ecologically, and economically. 

Both programs are free and open to the public, and will take place at Chillicothe Public Library, 430 N. Bradley Ave., Chillicothe, IL 61523. For more information, visit chillipld.org or call 309-274-2719.