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Posey County Historic Marker

Research on Racial Violence in Southwest Indiana

Memorial and Bench Unveiling 2022

The initiative to memorialize the October 1878 victims of racial violence in Mount Vernon was formed by Sophie Kloppenburg, a senior at Mount Vernon High School, in partnership with Posey County community members, Tom Guggenheim, Ben Uchitelle, Judge James M. Redwine, Dr. Laurel Standiford Reyes (USI Department of Psychology), and Dr. Kristalyn Shefveland (USI Department of History)

Plaque and Memorial Bench installed October 22, 2022 (Mount Vernon, Indiana)

Images courtesy of Daniel Knight - Studio B; USI Photography & Multimedia

 

 

October 22, 2022 Memorial Gallery

Dr. Ronald Rochon, the president of the University of Southern Indiana, gives a speech on the power of young people and the work we accomplished

Dr. Ronald Rochon, the president of the University of Southern Indiana, gives a speech on the power of young people and the work we accomplished

Sophie Kloppenburg, the memorial and dedication ceremony organizer, smiles at the crowd

Sophie Kloppenburg, the memorial and dedication ceremony organizer, smiles at the crowd

Mount Vernon Mayor Bill Curtis speaks about the progress Mount Vernon has made

Mount Vernon Mayor Bill Curtis speaks about the progress Mount Vernon has made

Head Posey County commissioner Bill Collins speaks at the Hovey House

Head Posey County commissioner Bill Collins speaks at the Hovey House

A crowd sits in the Hovey House waiting for the start of the dedication ceremony

A crowd sits in the Hovey House waiting for the start of the dedication ceremony

A crowd gathers to watch the memorial’s unveiling at the Mount Vernon Courthouse

A crowd gathers to watch the memorial’s unveiling at the Mount Vernon Courthouse

A crowd gathers to watch the memorial’s unveiling

A crowd gathers to watch the memorial’s unveiling

Ben Uchitelle, the descendent on an eyewitness and memorial volunteer, speaks about what his great great grandfather wrote in his diary about the lynching.

Ben Uchitelle, the descendent on an eyewitness and memorial volunteer, speaks about what his great great grandfather wrote in his diary about the lynching.

Sophie Kloppenburg unveils the historical marker

Sophie Kloppenburg unveils the historical marker

A community member added flowers to the granite bench that lists the victims names

A community member added flowers to the granite bench that lists the victims names

Sophie Kloppenburg speaks to the media about the importance of getting this memorial in the ground

Sophie Kloppenburg speaks to the media about the importance of getting this memorial in the ground

On January 16, 2023, at a Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Event, Dr. Ronald Rochon, President of the University of Southern Indiana, presented Sophie Kloppenburg with an award for her courageous efforts on the 1878 Memorial Project

On January 16, 2023, at a Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Event, Dr. Ronald Rochon, President of the University of Southern Indiana, presented Sophie Kloppenburg with an award for her courageous efforts on the 1878 Memorial Project

Dr. Rochon shared the following thoughts, “Young and daring, committed to caring, a humble nature who challenged each of us to address our past and give humanity a reason to trust. Sophie, we thank you for highlighting a horrific past by teaching us to attack injustice with grace and mercy that will last.”   Also recognized were Kloppenburg’s Mount Vernon High School teacher, Kevin Krizan; mother, Dr. Lioba Kloppenburg; and USI faculty mentor Kristalyn Shefveland, Associate Professor of History, for their part in Kloppenburg’s journey. “Without the love and the investment and the dedication and commitment that people have that pour into them, this doesn’t happen,” said Rochon speaking on the power of support.  

Subjects: History