Join us on Saturday, August 15, 2015 from 12pm-5pm at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois to celebrate the 50th anniversary of a milestone of the page tradition: the appointment of the first African-American Page in the House of Representatives.
A Special Event at a Special Location
In 1965, the same year that Congress passed the historic Voting Rights Act to enfranchise thousands throughout the South, 15-year-old Frank Mitchell was plucked out of Feitshans High School in Illinois and found himself making history as the first African-American since Reconstruction to serve as a Page in Congress. Mitchell will join his congressional sponsor, former Representative Paul Findley (R-IL), in this special event organized by the U.S. Capitol Page Alumni Association. Mitchell will share his remarkable story of breaking barriers on Capitol Hill, and Findley will reflect on his own role in making possible this historic appointment. The discussion will be moderated by award-winning journalist and an editor at the Chicago Tribune, Michael Esposito.
Springfield is home both to Frank Mitchell and to a host of historical Lincoln sites, including Lincoln’s home and the Old State House, site of Lincoln’s famous “House Divided” speech. 2015 marks both the 150th anniversary of “everything Lincoln” and the 50th anniversary of Mitchell’s integration of the Congressional Page Program.
Join Us in Springfield
In addition to a discussion featuring Frank Mitchell and Representative Paul Findley, August 15th will be an opportunity for Pages to connect with fellow Midwestern alumni and an opportunity for everyone to enjoy a guided tour of the Lincoln Presidential Museum. Lunch will be provided as part of the event. Family and guests are welcome.
- If you are traveling from a distance, consider booking your reservation with one of two hotels located just blocks away and offering a discount for the Capitol Page group:
- Abraham Lincoln Doubletree: 217-544-8800
- Springfield Hilton: 217-789-1530
- If you are interested in carpooling from the nearby cities of Chicago, Indianapolis, or St. Louis, email us to connect with other Pages who are traveling on August 15th from the same locations: alumni@CapitolPageAlumni.org
Map Location(s)
