HOLMEN, Wis. (WEAU) – The Enduring Families Project began on Juneteenth in 2018 with a bus tour and reenactors at several La Crosse area locations.
They share historical information about influential African Americans in the La Crosse area.
Project producer Denise Christy Moss says the project has since grown with more people in the area wanting to see their performances.
“As we’ve gone through this material, more and more communities have wanted to hear our stories. This includes libraries, historical societies, and schools districts in La Crosse, Onalaska, West Salem, and Holmen,” says Christy Moss.
On Wednesday the group performed at the La Crosse County Library in Holmen. They reenacted stories about people like Lillian Davenport and Nellie Poage by sharing their stories.
“What has made them really generate with the public is bringing them to life through reenactments. It’s more than just putting them on a shelf. Even though book-learning is important, once you have the book learning it’s taking the next step and brining life to these stories so the people are real and the community can learn more about them,” says Christy Moss.
Librarian Becca Waschek says libraries are a place where people can learn about history, and this performance takes that learning to the next level.
“We are excited to have a chance to celebrate black history, and to get to know black history in our area better. I’m amazed by the enduring families project, the work that they have put in to creating such a quality historical performance,” says Waschek.
Christy Moss says the group enjoys performing because it brings a sense of connectiveness and belonging within the community.
“I can’t think of how many times I’ve run across people who’ve said I didn’t know that, I’ve lived here all my life. It’s nice for them to learn. The community wants to hear about 19th century African Americans who lived in the La Crosse area,” says Christy Moss.
To learn more about the Enduring Families Project, you can visit here.
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