Historical Society establishing City of Refuge Fund; author to speak Feb. 26 at Kroc Center

QUINCY — The Historical Society of Quincy & Adams County and the Community Foundation serving West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri will announce the establishment of the City of Refuge Fund at a reception on Feb. 25 at the History Museum on the Square, 332 Maine. The event will be from 5-7 p.m., with at remarks at 6 p.m.

The Foundation’s new fund honors Quincy’s heritage as a “City of Refuge” in 1838-39 for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when they were forced from Missouri by the governor’s order.

In conjunction with the event, historian Benjamin Park, author of “Kingdom of Nauvoo,” will speak at 2 p.m. Feb. 26 in the Kroc Center, 405 Vermont. The book, based on previously confidential documents from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been described as an extraordinary story of faith and violence in 19th century America. “Kingdom of Nauvoo” has received the Best Book Award from the Mormon History Association.

Park, who is becoming a national voice for issues concerning American religion and politics, received his doctorate from Cambridge University. He is a professor at Sam Houston State University.

A meet the author/book signing event will be held in the Kroc Center after the program. “Kingdom of Nauvoo” will be available for purchase at the event and also will be sold in Quincy’s History Shop, the Society’s gift shop in the History Museum on the Square.

Both events are free and open to the public. For questions, contact the HSQAC Office at 217-222-1835.