Past Event

French Creole Fiddle and Tales from the Illinois Country

A Road Scholar Program by Dennis Stroughmatt

Beginning in 1699 with the building of villages like Cahokia and Kaskaskia, IL, the foundation of The Illinois Country or "Les Pays des Illinois" was set. Over the next century, French colonists from Western France and Quebec would merge with the native populations of Illinois, Missouri, and Indiana to create a Creole culture that is still unique from its cousins in Louisiana and Canada even today. This program will take audiences on a fascinating trip through The Illinois Country from both a historical and modern perspective, highlighting the enduring French identity of places like Prairie du Rocher, IL and Old Mines, MO through ancient French folktales, haunting ballads, and foot stomping fiddle tunes.