Staff Contributor: Mary B., Public Services Librarian
America 250 - Rock County, a program series hosted by Hedberg Public Library acknowledging and celebrating Rock County's history as the nation marks its Semiquincentennial, will kick off on Tuesday, February 24 at 6 p.m. with The Journey North: The Shaping of Beloit’s African American Community.
Discover the rich history of Beloit’s African American community with Cheryl Caldwell, founder of the African American Historical Society of Beloit. In her presentation, held in HPL's Program Room, Caldwell will share knowledge about the Great Migration, the recruitment of Fairbanks Morse & Company, and the historic Edgewater Flats.
Cheryl's deep interest in history began while she researched her family genealogy for a class at Penn State in 1985. This exploration into her family’s 1921 journey from Mississippi to Beloit sparked a lifelong passion for uncovering and preserving Beloit’s African American history. After years of research, interviews, and documentation, Cheryl and her husband Jim released their documentary in 2011, Through Their Eyes: The History of African Americans in Beloit, Wisconsin, from 1836 to 1970. Cheryl launched the African American Historical Society of Beloit website and Facebook page in 2020. These platforms share stories, photographs, and historical insights celebrating the contributions of African Americans who played a vital role in shaping the Beloit community. Cheryl is a Beloit native and currently lives in North Carolina.