LITERARY LANDMARKS

In the endeavor to promote the rich literary heritage of Illinois, the Illinois Center for the Book has partnered with Friends Of Libraries USA (FOLUSA -- http://www.folusa.org/) and other organizations to dedicate Literary Landmarks in Illinois.

The Literary Landmarks Association was founded in 1986 by former FOLUSA president Frederick G. Ruffner to encourage the dedication of historic literary sites. In 1989, the Literary Landmark project became an official FOLUSA committee. There have been over 60 Literary Landmark dedications since the inception of the association that have included homes of famous writers, libraries and museum collections, literary scenes and author inspirations, etc. all over the country. Click here to see a list of FOLUSA Literary Landmark dedications by year (http://www.folusa.org/outreach/landmarks-year.php).

Local groups may apply to dedicate a Literary Landmark through FOLUSA. When an appropriate landmark is identified, the sponsoring group plans a dedication ceremony and applies to FOLUSA for official recognition. Click here for full details of planning a Literary Landmark dedication through FOLUSA (http://www.folusa.org/resources/html-versions/fact-sheet-12.php).

The mission of the Illinois Center for the Book is to celebrate the printed word and to create an environment that promotes reading, the book arts and an appreciation of the state's rich literary heritage. The dedication of Literary Landmarks that highlight the work of Illinois authors increases the awareness of Illinois' rich literary heritage and the Illinois Center for the Book wants to see that Literary Landmarks of Illinois authors are made available to the people of Illinois.

FOLUSA suggests that local groups interested in dedicating a Literary Landmark contact other interested organizations for co-sponsorships. If you have a group that is interested in dedicating a Literary Landmark of an Illinois author through FOLUSA, the Illinois Center for the Book will be interested in participating in a partnership/co-sponsorship with your group. For additional information or questions, please contact the Coordinator of the Illinois Center for the Book (bmatheis at ilsos.net).

Illinois Center for the Book & FOLUSA Literary Landmark Partnerships

June 23, 2005 - Union Stockyard Gate
This Union Stockyard Gate commemorates the centennial of the novel, The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair. The book exposed the unsanitary conditions of the meatpacking industry and is said to have influenced President Theodore Roosevelt in passing the Pure Food and Drug Act in 1906. The novel chronicles Jurgis Rudkus, a Lithuanian immigrant, in his quest for the American Dream in the filthy Chicago stockyards. Partners: FOLUSA, Illinois Center for the Book, the Lithuanian American Council, the Food and Drug Administration, Union Food and Commercial Workers, and the Weidman Family.

2000 - Hall Branch of the Chicago Public Library
The Hall Branch Library, located in historic Bronzeville, was named in honor of Dr. George Cleveland Hall, a renowned surgeon, social activist and civic leader who was the second African American to serve on the Chicago Public Library Board of Directors. Dr. Hall played a vital role in connecting the African-American community with resources needed to learn, live, thrive and work by convincing a generous philanthropist to support the library by donating funds to purchase the property for a proposed library to serve a predominately large African-American community located on the south side of Chicago. The Hall Branch opened to the public on January 18, 1932, under the direction of Vivian Harsh, the first African American librarian in the Chicago Public Library. During the 1930's and 40's Hall Branch served as a meeting place for young writers such as Richard Wright, Langston Hughes, Arna Bontemps, Zora Neale Hurston and Claude McKay. FOLUSA and Illinois Center for the Book designated the library a literary landmark because of its close association with distinguished African-American authors and writers.

July 21, 1999 - Ernest Hemingway Birthplace
On the centennial of writer Ernest Hemingway's birth, the Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park, Illinois, celebrated the occasion with a four-day conference and rededication of the restored Hemingway birthplace in Oak Park. As part of the rededication, FOLUSA and the Illinois Center for the Book, designated the home a literary landmark and presented the Hemingway Foundation with a plaque to be placed on the home.