“Pioneers of Lick Creek African American Settlement” presentation

Bedford- On Tuesday, July 25, the Forest Service will host a presentation on the Lick Creek Settlement as part of the Bedford Outdoors Series. 

Join speaker Tesa Villalobos, Forest Archaeologist, from 6 to 7:30 pm EDT as she highlights the story of the pioneering eleven free Black families who fled North Carolina before 1820 in search of a place of safety. Led by Jonathon Lindley, a Quaker, these families made their way westward to Indiana and settled in what is now the Lick Creek area in Orange County on Hoosier National Forest.  Villalobos will also discuss plans for future interpretation of the history of this area in conjunction with the descendants.

The presentation will be held at the historic Otis Park Bath House located at 607 Tunnelton Road, east of Bedford.  Participants are asked to reserve a seat by contacting Autumn Ray, Bedford Parks Department, at 812-275-5692.

Due to widespread interest from people outside the local area, the presentation will be livestreamed on the Hoosier National Forest facebook page @hoosiernf.

The Bedford Outdoors Series is hosted in collaboration by Bedford Parks Department, Purdue University Extension, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Lawrence County Soil & Water Conservation District, Indiana Department of Natural Resources - Division of Forestry, and USDA Forest Service - Hoosier National Forest.  Programs are scheduled monthly on the fourth Tuesday (except December).