Historians say the beautiful old town of Bishop Hill is an Illinois treasure. It was founded by Swedish immigrants in 1846.
The entire community is on the national register of historic places. From Chicago, heading West on I80, it'll take you about three hours to reach this historic farming town.
The rhythm of life has barely changed in this western Illinois town. Descendents of Swedish settlers from 1849 still make things by hand in Bishop Hill using age-old methods and an eye for patterns to weave colorful creations. It's a devotion that's been passed down for generations.
Settlers crossed an ocean and walked all the way from Chicago to build a better life. It was an experiment in communal living where everyone shared the work and wealth.
But at the heart of the Swedish colony was religious freedom. 1200 souls fled persecution in Europe to practice an offshoot of the Lutheran tradition.
Leading the way to the promise land was a charismatic preacher.
"His name was Erik Jansson," says Mike Wendel, Bishop Hill Heritage Association. "He was a fire and brimstone preacher from Helsingland and he was the catalyst that started these folks to this country."
A $4 donation gets you into the Colony Church where Janson preached.
The floorboards creak at the Colony Hotel which is no longer open for lodging but a great place to feel the simple beauty of this place.
For overnight stays, sleep at the Colony Hospital, now a charming Bed & Breakfast. Rooms start at $100 a night including breakfast.
Supper's just a short walk away at Johnson's Dining Room. On the menu Swedish Meatballs along with the best bread pudding you've ever tasted.
In July, dealers from nine different states strut their stuff at the Country Antique Market.
Antique lovers say it's the ultimate setting in a town that is itself a historic treasure.
INFORMATION ON GALLERIES, MUSEUMS, MERCHANTS, DINING, LODGING AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Bishop Hill Village Park, State Historic Site
Martha Downey, Site Superintendent
PO Box 104 Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3345
Bishop Hill Heritage Association
www.bishophill.com
103 Bishop Hill Road
Bishop Hill, IL 61419
(309) 927-3899
Quilt Show: Stars, Spools & Sunflowers Too
May 14 to May 16
Area quilters exhibit their work at the Colony School
Antique, applique, patchwork, miniature, and other categories
Admission $3.00. May 14,15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sponsors: Bishop Hill Arts Council, Prairie Queen Quilt Club
309-927-3851
Midsommar Music Festival
June 26
Music for the entire family. Workshops and Jamming. Main Stage Concerts
11am to 4pm
Midsommar Celebration
June 26
Procession to School and Decoration of the Maypole
Music and family activities, Swedish Music and Dancing, Refreshments 4 p.m.
Barn Dance 7 p.m.
Sponsors: B H Vasa Lodge #683, Vasa Order of America National Archives, B H Heritage Association., B H Old Settlers' Association, B H State Historic Site
20th Annual Country Antique Market July 10
Quality antiques (early country, primitives, folk art, pottery, textiles) on lawn of Colony School. Proceeds to benefit Bishop Hill's Volunteer Fire Dept
Admission $5.00
Sponsor: Bishop Hill Colony Bakery (Jim & Cheri Campbell)
309-927-3042 or 309-927-3037
8am to 3pm
ANTIQUES & OTHER MERCHANTS
Sweet Annie's
201 W. Main St. Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3037
The Colony Store
Sally R. Smith, Manager
101 West Main St. PO Box 92 Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3596
www.bishophill.com/
The Prairie Arts Center
203 N. Bishop Hill St. Colony Blacksmith Shop Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3008
The Village Smithy
Marilyn Nelson
309 North Bishop Hill Street PO Box 114 Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3851
www.villagesmithyquilts.com/
P.L. Johnson's Dining Room & Gift Shop
Ann Stodgel
110 W. Bjorkland St. PO Box 105 Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3885
http://pldining.home.mchsi.com/
The Filling Station
303 N. Bishop Hill St. PO Box 6 Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3355
OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS
Bishop Hill Fine Arts - Loft Guest Apartment
Chuck and Sherry Linscott
109 N. Bishop Hill St. PO Box 102 Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3020
http://bishophillfinearts.com/Accommodations.html
The Colony Hospital Bed And Breakfast
Judith & Lowell Gilbert
110 North Olson Street PO Box 97 Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3506
www.bishophillbb.com/
RENTAL FACILITIES
Bishop Hill Colony Church, State Historic Site
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
Martha Downey, Site Superintendent
PO Box 104 Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3345
http://www.illinoishistory.gov/hs/bishop_hill.htm
Bishop Hill Village Park, State Historic Site
Martha Downey, Site Superintendent
PO Box 104 Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3345
Colony Steeple Building
Bishop Hill Heritage Association
Mike Wendel, Administrator
103 North Bishop Hill Street PO Box 92 Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3899
http://www.illinoishistory.gov/hs/bishop_hill.htm
The Colony School
Bishop Hill Old Settlers' Association
Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3833
The entire community is on the national register of historic places. From Chicago, heading West on I80, it'll take you about three hours to reach this historic farming town.
The rhythm of life has barely changed in this western Illinois town. Descendents of Swedish settlers from 1849 still make things by hand in Bishop Hill using age-old methods and an eye for patterns to weave colorful creations. It's a devotion that's been passed down for generations.
Settlers crossed an ocean and walked all the way from Chicago to build a better life. It was an experiment in communal living where everyone shared the work and wealth.
But at the heart of the Swedish colony was religious freedom. 1200 souls fled persecution in Europe to practice an offshoot of the Lutheran tradition.
Leading the way to the promise land was a charismatic preacher.
"His name was Erik Jansson," says Mike Wendel, Bishop Hill Heritage Association. "He was a fire and brimstone preacher from Helsingland and he was the catalyst that started these folks to this country."
A $4 donation gets you into the Colony Church where Janson preached.
The floorboards creak at the Colony Hotel which is no longer open for lodging but a great place to feel the simple beauty of this place.
For overnight stays, sleep at the Colony Hospital, now a charming Bed & Breakfast. Rooms start at $100 a night including breakfast.
Supper's just a short walk away at Johnson's Dining Room. On the menu Swedish Meatballs along with the best bread pudding you've ever tasted.
In July, dealers from nine different states strut their stuff at the Country Antique Market.
Antique lovers say it's the ultimate setting in a town that is itself a historic treasure.
INFORMATION ON GALLERIES, MUSEUMS, MERCHANTS, DINING, LODGING AND SPECIAL EVENTS
Bishop Hill Village Park, State Historic Site
Martha Downey, Site Superintendent
PO Box 104 Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3345
Bishop Hill Heritage Association
www.bishophill.com
103 Bishop Hill Road
Bishop Hill, IL 61419
(309) 927-3899
Quilt Show: Stars, Spools & Sunflowers Too
May 14 to May 16
Area quilters exhibit their work at the Colony School
Antique, applique, patchwork, miniature, and other categories
Admission $3.00. May 14,15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. May 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Sponsors: Bishop Hill Arts Council, Prairie Queen Quilt Club
309-927-3851
Midsommar Music Festival
June 26
Music for the entire family. Workshops and Jamming. Main Stage Concerts
11am to 4pm
Midsommar Celebration
June 26
Procession to School and Decoration of the Maypole
Music and family activities, Swedish Music and Dancing, Refreshments 4 p.m.
Barn Dance 7 p.m.
Sponsors: B H Vasa Lodge #683, Vasa Order of America National Archives, B H Heritage Association., B H Old Settlers' Association, B H State Historic Site
20th Annual Country Antique Market July 10
Quality antiques (early country, primitives, folk art, pottery, textiles) on lawn of Colony School. Proceeds to benefit Bishop Hill's Volunteer Fire Dept
Admission $5.00
Sponsor: Bishop Hill Colony Bakery (Jim & Cheri Campbell)
309-927-3042 or 309-927-3037
8am to 3pm
ANTIQUES & OTHER MERCHANTS
Sweet Annie's
201 W. Main St. Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3037
The Colony Store
Sally R. Smith, Manager
101 West Main St. PO Box 92 Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3596
www.bishophill.com/
The Prairie Arts Center
203 N. Bishop Hill St. Colony Blacksmith Shop Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3008
The Village Smithy
Marilyn Nelson
309 North Bishop Hill Street PO Box 114 Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3851
www.villagesmithyquilts.com/
P.L. Johnson's Dining Room & Gift Shop
Ann Stodgel
110 W. Bjorkland St. PO Box 105 Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3885
http://pldining.home.mchsi.com/
The Filling Station
303 N. Bishop Hill St. PO Box 6 Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3355
OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS
Bishop Hill Fine Arts - Loft Guest Apartment
Chuck and Sherry Linscott
109 N. Bishop Hill St. PO Box 102 Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3020
http://bishophillfinearts.com/Accommodations.html
The Colony Hospital Bed And Breakfast
Judith & Lowell Gilbert
110 North Olson Street PO Box 97 Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3506
www.bishophillbb.com/
RENTAL FACILITIES
Bishop Hill Colony Church, State Historic Site
Illinois Historic Preservation Agency
Martha Downey, Site Superintendent
PO Box 104 Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3345
http://www.illinoishistory.gov/hs/bishop_hill.htm
Bishop Hill Village Park, State Historic Site
Martha Downey, Site Superintendent
PO Box 104 Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3345
Colony Steeple Building
Bishop Hill Heritage Association
Mike Wendel, Administrator
103 North Bishop Hill Street PO Box 92 Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3899
http://www.illinoishistory.gov/hs/bishop_hill.htm
The Colony School
Bishop Hill Old Settlers' Association
Bishop Hill, IL 61419
309-927-3833
Digg
Twitter
Facebook
StumbleUpon
