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History Chat: The Life and Poetry of Matthew R. Ward

with Mitch Hemann

History Chat is a one-hour program in which Mitch Hemann, archivist at the Ritz Theatre and Museum, speaks about Matthew R. Ward’s life and poetry as well as Jacksonville’s role in the Great Migration, followed by an audience Q&A session.

In 1916, the Chicago Defender published an unknown local tailor's poem, Bound for the Promised Land. This scathing indictment of the Jim Crow South spread like wildfire and became a rallying cry for Black southerners who risked it all to seek greater opportunity in the north. This History Chat is an exploration of Jacksonville's role in the great northern migration and the poem that sparked a movement. 

Mitch Hemann has a background in archives and museum administration. He received his certificate in archival practice and theory at the Modern Archives Institute at The National Archives and Records Administration and the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. He has managed the Corporate Archives for the Estée Lauder Companies in New York City and has worked in Membership and Development at The Frist Art Museum in Nashville, TN. In Jacksonville, he served on the Board of Directors for Norman Studios Silent Film Museum and chaired its archives committee. He was also the Senior Archivist at the Jacksonville Historical Society for four years. He is currently the Archivist at the Ritz Theatre and Museum.  

This program is made possible by a grant from the Mellon Foundation.

Register to save your seat. Registration must be completed two hours prior to the start time. A library card and PIN are required for registration. If you do not have a card, click HERE to obtain one.

Street parking downtown is free on Saturdays. You can also park in the Library Garage at 33 W. Duval St. and get your parking validated at the circulation desk on the first floor. 

Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, accommodations for persons with disabilities are available upon request. Please allow 1–2 business days to process. Last-minute requests will be accepted, but may not be possible to fulfill. Please ask for Learning Services at 255-2665 or email JPLPrograms@coj.net.

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