An ambitious plan to showcase local African American history and the role of African Americans in the military could become a reality in Joliet.

The Joliet City Council approved the transfer of a lease on the city-owned land where the Casseday house stands to Luther Johnson, who heads the Joliet-based History on Wheels. The organization is a traveling exhibit that showcases the roles of African Americans in the U.S. military. Johnson, who was born in Chicago but now calls Joliet home, started History on Wheels in 2019 and operates out of a van that travels to schools and museums to give programs.

Prior to council’s unanimous vote recently, elected officials tabled the proposal after expressing concerns over whether Johnson would be able to improve conditions at the 1851 structure, which has remained vacant and unused since it was relocated from its original location at Jackson and Collins streets in 2020 to Jackson Street and Youngs Avenue.

The Casseday House was moved to prevent demolition prior to construction of a Thornton gas station, a move lauded by preservationists. The Will County Historical Society, which took ownership of the two-story limestone structure constructed around 1851, also wanted to create a museum archiving African American history and research center but were unable to do so because it could not raise the funds.

But Johnson said his goal is to raise funds so the museum could be open, even if partially, by Juneteenth, which is June 19 of next year. Juneteenth is a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Once the fundraising begins and inspection of the property can be completed, Johnson said he will have a better idea of how much money is needed to renovate the building. His first order of business is to have lighting at the property, according to Johnson.

Mayor Terry D’Arcy promised Johnson that he will do everything he can to help fulfill his dream.

Among those who support Johnson’s endeavor are the descendants of George Washington Casseday, who is believed to be one of the first land speculators in Joliet in 1836. According to Lorraine Partlow Smalley, Casseday’s great-great-granddaughter, he moved to Joliet in 1851 and built the house out of limestone. In 1858, Casseday sold a piece of his land to become the site of the historic Joliet Correctional Center.