Presented as part of The Mill:

“Praiseworthy: An Intelligent and Prompt Negro - A Railroad Disaster Averted." A story from artist Samuel Lewis II about his great-great grandfather, Phil McBride.

Told using a crankie-style illustration scroll, with sound design and musical accompaniment by multi-instrumentalist Hunter Diamond, this piece has been performed in Chicago at the Smart Museum, for the Nasty Brutish and Short series, the 2024 National Puppet Slam in Atlanta, the 2026 Baltimore Crankie Festival, and the 2026 New Orleans Giant Puppet Festival.

Read about Sam Lewis and his creative work in the Chicago Reader.