Princeton Public Library is offering a unique glimpse into Illinois’ French Creole heritage with a special event on June 10, 2025. Cultural preservationist and musician Dennis Stroughmatt will guide listeners through centuries of tradition, sharing stories, songs, and folk tunes rooted in the region’s French colonial past. Attendees can expect lively fiddle music, local dialects, and interactive sing-alongs, bringing history to life in a compelling performance. Co-presented by Illinois Humanities, this free program aims to deepen cultural understanding while celebrating the enduring legacy of the Illinois French. The event starts at 6 PM at 698 E. Peru Street in Princeton.
This special event highlights the enduring culture of the Illinois French, whose ancestors first settled along the Wabash and Mississippi Rivers in the late 1600s. Despite centuries of change and shifting borders, their traditions, language, and music have survived. Presented by the Illinois Humanities Road Scholars Speakers Bureau, the initiative brings free cultural programs to local communities, encouraging deeper understanding and connectivity through stories and song.
The event is free and open to all. For more information, visit princetonpl.org or contact Julie Wayland at [email protected].
