This program will examine the efforts of two rural communities that were devastated by Mississippi River flooding — Valmeyer, Illinois, and Pinhook, Missouri — to rebuild.

The discussion will feature Debra Tarver, the chairperson of Pinhook, and Dennis Knobloch, the former mayor of Valmeyer. Also participating in the discussion will be Mary Delach Leonard, a journalist with St. Louis Public Radio who wrote extensively about Pinhook and Valmeyer for the St. Louis Beacon, and Laura Hatcher, assistant professor of political science at Southeast Missouri State University and editor of a blog entitled Disasters, Property, and Politics. Doors will open at 6:00pm for viewing of displays and light refreshments. The program begins at 6:30pm and will address two central questions:

“What can we learn from the experiences of Valmeyer and Pinhook about the responsibilities of local, state, and federal agencies in ensuring that rural communities are able to remain viable when disasters strike?“

“How have both Pinhook and Valmeyer drawn upon their cultural strengths in order to maintain their vitality in the face of adversity?”

The program will also feature segments from recent documentary films about Pinhook and Valmeyer.

The program is presented in partnership with Lewis and Clark Community College’s Mannie Jackson Endowment for the Humanities as part of the 2015 Greater St. Louis Humanities Festival, the theme of which is “Community Viability and Vitality.” It is associated with the Smithsonian Institution’s “Water Matters” initiative.

If you need a sign interpreter or require other arrangements to fully participate, please contact Matt Meacham at matt.meacham@ilhumanities.org at least 72 hours prior to the event. For more information, please call 312.422.5589.