"Exploring a Forgotten Chapter of Illinois Agriculture. The brief Hemp Experiment of the 1840s."

In the 1840s and 1850s, before beans and corn dominated Illinois, hemp briefly took root in Sangamon County. Local historian Curtis Mann will share the fascinating story behind this short-lived experiment. He will touch on the motivation for cultivating hemp, the individuals who championed its growth, and the reason it ultimately failed. This effort left a lasting legacy, with the introduction of a new immigrant community to Springfield. Includes refreshments.