John Hossack: No Apologies
Fri, Nov 27
|Ottawa Center: The Abbey
A documentary focusing on John Hossack and Jim Gray. John Hossack was an influential businessman, father of 11 children and an abolitionist. Community abolitionists orchestrated the escape of Jim Gray, a slave. $10 suggested donation, proceeds to Ottawa Center for the Arts & Historical Museum.
Time & Location
Nov 27, 2026, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Ottawa Center: The Abbey, 113 E Lafayette St, Ottawa, IL 61350, USA
About the event
Illinois Arts Council Grant supported the development of a documentary focusing on John Hossack and Jim Gray. John Hossack was an influential businessman, father of 11 children and an abolitionist. Community abolitionists orchestrated the escape of Jim Gray, a slave. Hossack, one of several arrested, gave an empathic speech on the horrors of slavery and specifically the Fugitive Slave Act. Documentary storyline focuses on man’s inhumanity to man brought on by slavery and the evolution thru the 20th century and beyond.
Ottawa Historical and Scouting Heritage Museum Research Committee developed the story components for the documentary based on historical study. Dan Hennenfent and Skip Hupp crafted the visual documentary and Chris Vallillo was our artist infusing vocal and instrumental music and mastering the document soundscape into a professional production.
Donation of $10 is suggested with proceeds being split between Center for the Arts and Historical Museum.