StepBack Players - Play in Peoria

Today several different costumed volunteers assume the identities of local folks, teaching the history of Peoria in spirited monologues while providing an entertaining and educational view of Peoria's history and growth. If you are interested in a program for your classroom, club, or event, contact the Peoria Historical Society office at 309-674-1921.

History of StepBack: Five women from Peoria's past visited local fourth grade classrooms during Women's History Month in March of 2004.  Costumed volunteers assumed the identities of Catherine LaCroix, Emma Abbott, Julia Lindsay Gibson, Lydia Moss Bradley, and Bertha Boutin, teaching the history of Peoria in a spirited monologue.  Focusing on national, state, and local events, these women presented an entertaining and educational view of Peoria's growth during their lifetimes.   

Three local educators, Alice Brophy, Amy Kelly, and Linda McMullen, chose the women to include, researched the historical events of each time period, developed the scripts, and aligned the presentation to the Illinois Learning Standards for Social Studies.  PHS volunteers then piloted the program on Tuesdays in March in fourth grade classrooms of various Peoria schools.

This special presentation by costumed PHS volunteers was featured at the annual Clean Water Celebration held at the Peoria Civic Center on March 22, 2004.  In keeping with the theme "Exploring Our River Roots," the five women showcased in Step (Back) into Peoria told their stories and related how the Illinois River influenced business, recreation, the arts, and the medical community in Peoria.  Tri-county students discovered the importance of the Illinois River to the development of their communities.