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On August 20, 1619, 20 enslaved Africans arrived in Jamestown, Virginia. The 400-year plus journey that followed would change a nation and the world. 1619: The Journey of a People is a dynamic theatrical (song, music, and stories) experience featuring playwright, professor, and performer Ted Williams III, and a small, but brilliant cast.

This show packs generations of history into an abridged performance. 1619: The Journey of a People commemorates the struggles, recognizes the heroes, and critically analyzes the American journey towards freedom and equality. From the beginning of American slavery to the Reconstruction, the Great Migration, the Civil Rights Era, and modern movements for justice, Williams uses history to explain modern America.  

This library program has been made possible through a partnership between the White Oak Library District and the Village of Romeoville.

Registration is required for this event. Registration will close on February 4, 2026 @ 7:00pm.