Nathaniel and Charlotte Morgan Peace Week (September 1 - 6, 2026)Copyrighted
August 17, 2026
City of Dubuque PROCLAMATIONS # 1.
City Council
ITEM TITLE: Nathaniel and Charlotte Morgan Peace Week (September 1 -
6, 2026)
SUMMARY: On behalf of the Nathaniel Morgan Memorial Committee.
SUGGUESTED
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
1. 26_08_17 Nathaniel and Charlotte Morgan Peace Week
THE CITY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi �
PIRO CLAMATIO 1 �lT
WHEREAS, the City of Dubuque and local historians have committed to uncovering the history of all
Dubuquers in an effort to tell a more complete story of Dubuque; and
WHEREAS, Nathaniel and Charlotte Morgan were among the pioneers of Dubuque and contributed
to its growth by working hard, purchasing the first platted lot (Lot 1), owning a home,
supporting Dubuque's first Protestant church, and persevering in the face of racism as
African Americans in a community that practiced slavery; and
WHEREAS, the lynching of Nathaniel Morgan and the subsequent pardoning of the lynchers
undermined the potential for interracial unity and peace; and
WHEREAS, members of the Nathaniel Morgan Memorial Committee (NMMC) believe that confronting
our past injustice leads to learning, teaching, and building an equitable and diverse
community; and
WHEREAS, members of the NMMC have, after an extensive national search, hired artist James Dinh
to complete a large, public artwork to honor the lives of Nathaniel and Charlotte Morgan
on the grounds of the future Dubuque Museum of Art campus; and
WHEREAS, Dubuquers increasingly make a concerted effort in the face of ignorance, indifference,
and racism to build an equitable and diverse community that honors the faith, aspirations,
and perseverance of our earliest Black residents; and
WHEREAS, the NMMC and other Dubuque residents maintain that in life Nathaniel and Charlotte
Morgan represented the promise of a unified and peaceful interracial community and
WHEREAS, the NMMC will celebrate this rekindled promise of unity and peace in a public memorial
service on September 6 at 6 pm at Mt. Carmel
NOW THEREFORE, I, BRAD M. CAVANAGH, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA, ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL, STAFF, AND RESIDENTS OF DUBUQUE, DO HEREBY
PROCLAIM THE FIRST WEEK OF SEPTEMBER AS
"NATHANIEL AND CHARLOTTE MORGAN PEACE WEEK"
IN THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and
caused the Great Seal of the City of Dubuque to be affixed
this 17th day of August, 2026.
Brad M. Cavanagh, Mayor
Attest:
Adrienne N. Breitfelder, CMC, City Clerk
2025: Submitted by Brian Hallstoos. Accepted by members of the Nathaniel Morgan Memorial
Committee.
2025: Submitted by Brian Hallstoos BHallstoos(a-)dbg.edu. Accepted by Brian Hallstoos, Ernestine
Moss, and James Busch.
2024: Submitted by Brian Hallstoos BHallstoos(a-)dbg.edu.
2023: Submitted by Brian Hallstoos BHallstoos(a-)_dbg.edu. Accepted by: Ernestine Moss, co -Chair of
the Nathaniel Morgan Memorial Committee (NMMC), Chris Happ-Olson, NMMC member, Brian
Hallstoos, co-chair of the NMMC