El Paso, Illinois: An old barber shop that witnessed a decisive moment in the history of voting rights in America has been transformed into a history museum through the initiative of students. The Project XV Museum, located in the town of El Paso, Illinois, acquaints the new generation with 156 years of voting rights history. The museum centers on the life of David A. Strother, who holds a historic place as one of the first Black Americans to vote following the ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment on April 4, 1870, in Illinois.
Born in Missouri in 1843, Strother served as a civilian cook for the Union Army during the American Civil War. Later, he settled in El Paso, Illinois, where he opened a barber shop. The Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which came into effect on March 30, 1870, prohibited the denial of the right to vote based on race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Just days after the amendment's enactment, Strother arrived to cast his vote in the El Paso municipal election held on April 4.
Initially, election officials refused to allow Strother to vote due to uncertainty about the new law. Upon reviewing the constitutional amendment, the officials recalled him and permitted him to register his vote. This event marked a new chapter in the voting rights history of Black citizens in Illinois. On the same day, Strother’s brother, Charles Strother, also cast his vote.
Years later, under the leadership of history teacher Michael Melik, students from El Paso-Gridley High School conducted a historical study that sparked the idea for the museum. Recognizing Strother's historical significance, the students proposed preserving his deteriorating barber shop and converting it into a museum. The building’s owner, Tabitha Arnold-Novark, supported this idea. With cooperation from local residents and volunteers, restoration work on the old building commenced. Students invested time in cleaning and preserving the site.
The museum’s name, Project XV, references the Roman numeral XV symbolizing the Fifteenth Amendment. Along with preserving Strother’s old barber shop, the museum also showcases the broader history of the struggles for voting rights in America. In April 2025, the museum hosted special events commemorating the 155th anniversary of the historic vote. It also operated on Election Day, November 3, 2026, with special visiting hours.
The museum safeguards historical items such as Strother’s vintage photograph, obituary, and artifacts related to the barber shop. Alongside Strother’s life story, visitors are given the opportunity to understand the battles waged by various communities for voting rights. This small museum serves as a reminder of the efforts of ordinary people in shaping American democracy. What began as a school history project has blossomed into a historic preservation initiative that educates new generations on the crucial importance of voting rights.
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Original Malayalam report: Malayalam Daily News
