By Sam Matheny in 25News. Here is an extract from the article:

In the 1860s, Barbershop owner David Strother was the first African American man to vote in the state of Illinois. More than 150 years later, his story led to the idea of building the state’s first museum on the topic of voting rights where his barbershop once stood.

“Upon landing here in the Midwest, I discovered this building, fell in love with it and decided that it needed to be saved,” said museum founder Tabitha Nowark. “When I learned about the history of David Strother, I knew that it was my job. It was my calling to make that happen.”

Nowark says the non-partisan project fifteen hopes the museum will serve as an educational hub for those wanting to learn more about voting rights.

Read full article here.