Legend and Legacy: Jean Baptiste Pointe
The Afro-Frenchman Jean Baptiste Pointe du Sable is best known as the founder of Chicago being the first non-Native American to establish a permanent settlement in the territory. Images of du Sable and his Potawatomi Indian wife named Kittahawa (DuSable gave her the Christian name Catherine), serve as guides through the highly tactile, interactive exhibition. Visitors will learn about du Sable’s travels between the Canada and Peoria, Illinois where he would often camp in an area the local Indians called “Eschikcago” or “place of smelly waters.” Du Sable believed that the area would be ideal as a place to settle and build a Trading Post. Reproductions of objects that would have been in his 1779 spacious five-room 22 by 40 foot cabin on the north bank of the Chicago River, are available for visitors to physically sample one experience after another getting a glimpse of life in 18th century wilderness. Captioned images highlight landscape features as well as distinctive plant and animal populations. In another area, higher elements of technology including touch screen displays will allow visitors the opportunity to barter for goods with du Sable in his Trading Post. In a gallery to the right of the entrance visitors step onto the porch of du Sable’s smoke house to view the projected panoramic, landscape that slowly changes from Illinois prairie land to what would become downtown Chicago. The theme continues with sounds of 18th century nature slowly becoming the noise of modern day traffic.
This project is partially supported by a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events
