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Conference on Illinois History Includes Cremin on Joliet Prison Panel

(L to R) Gregory T. Peerbolte, Pamela J. Owens and
Dr. Dennis H. Cremin

The Conference on Illinois History in Springfield, Ill., included a panel discussion by Dr. Dennis H. Cremin, professor of history, Pamela J. Owens of the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Gaylord Building and Gregory T. Peerbolte, director of the Joliet Area Historical Museum.

On Oct. 6, the three experts presented “The Old Joliet Penitentiary: From Prison to Vision.” They discussed the history of the Old Joliet Prison, perspectives on historic preservation advocacy and models for future use of the prison.

“This was a great opportunity to share information with the larger scholarly community,” said Cremin. They also met with members of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.

The ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ University History Center plans to continue the discussion on the Old Joliet Prison with a lecture by Dr. Robert Sterling. “Bars and Stripes: The Old Joliet Prison” will begin at 11 a.m. Oct. 27 on ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ University’s Romeoville Campus.

Sterling will also conduct a book signing at the Gaylord Building on the same day at 5:30 p.m.

The evening event is part of the opening of a new exhibit “Unlocking the Past: From Prison to Vision.” The exhibit will be on view at the Gaylord Building Historic Site, 200 West 8th Street, Lockport, Ill. Each of these events are free and open to the public. If you are interesting in attending the lecture, please contact Lisa Heizer at either (815) 836-5545 or heizerli@lewisu.edu by October 24, 2016. Visit for information on the book signing and exhibit.

ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ University is a Catholic university in the Lasallian tradition offering distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs to 6,700 traditional and adult students. ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ offers multiple campus locations, online degree programs, and a variety of formats that provide accessibility and convenience to a growing student population. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ prepares intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, globally connected, and socially responsible graduates. The seventh largest private not-for-profit university in Illinois, ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ has been nationally recognized by The Princeton Review and U.S. News & World Report. Visit for further information.