The fifth and final in a planned series of public events will be held to recognize individuals who had served as Conductors of the Underground Railroad through Tazewell County. The program will honor George Kern of rural Metamora, James Patterson Scott of Washington, and John Randolph Scott of Washington. The event will mark the 175th anniversary of the arrest and trial of George Kern and John Randolph Scott for harboring runaway slaves. Abraham Lincoln served as their defense attorney, the last trial he took as an attorney that involved slavery.

The keynote speaker will be Daniel Worthington of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. Other speakers will include Washington Mayor Gary Manier, Pastor Marvin Hightower of the NAACP, Susan Rynerson of the Tazewell County Genealogical and Historical Society, and Tazewell County Clerk John C. Ackerman. The renowned Heritage Ensemble from Peoria will perform a free concert following the public addresses.

The event is being hosted by the Washington Historical Society, the Tazewell County Genealogical and Historical Society, NAACP Peoria Branch, and Tazewell County Clerk John C. Ackerman. The public is invited to attend this free event.