This February, the city of Joliet is getting involved with Black History Month in several ways.
The Joliet Area Historical Museum’s new permanent exhibit, Routes of Agency, will feature Black history in Joliet from the 1910s-1980s.
The exhibit will consist of artifacts from the museum’s archives, as well as artifacts from resident’s homes.
The museum is temporarily closed while undergoing significant renovations, but is set to reopen at the end of February 2026.
The Joliet Area Historical Museum is not the only one to celebrate Black History Month in Joliet.
“STAMPED INTO HISTORY!” returns to Billie Limacher Bicentennial Park Theatre for its fourth year.
“‘STAMPED INTO HISTORY!’ uses U.S. postage stamps honoring notable African Americans as a creative lens to explore Black history, artistry and achievement,” according to a bulletin from the city of Joliet.
The event lasts from Feb. 20-22, 2026, with different shows every night.
For more information about “STAMPED INTO HISTORY!”, visit: https://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/ILJOLIET-4061f45?wgt_ref=ILJOLIET_WIDGET_17-18-19-40-38
You can celebrate Black History Month by supporting these Black owned businesses:
KED Afro-Caribbean Store, 2709 W Jefferson St, Joliet, IL 60435
Black Gold Exclusive Coffees, 1106 Curtis Ave, Joliet, IL 60435
Popus Gourmet Popcorn, 2004 W Jefferson St, Joliet, IL 60435
Cheesecake by James, 81 N Chicago St, Joliet, IL 60432
DeWitt’s Gourmet, 3340 Mall Loop Dr, Joliet, IL 60431
Richardson’s Downtown Sports Bar and Grill, 81 N Chicago St, Joliet, IL 60432
