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The Bishop Hill Arts Council
As a local non-profit organization formed in 1983, the objective of the Bishop Hill Arts Council is to promote those arts and artisans that reflect the traditions of Bishop Hill. The Council sponsors performing and visual artists at events and activities throughout the year including the Quilt Show, Midsommar, Jordbruksdagarna, Julmarknard, and Lucia Nights. The Council offers a scholarship each year to promising high school students pursuing advanced study in the Arts. Send your request for a scholarship application to the address below. Click here to download and purchase quilt raffle tickets for the lovely hand pieced “Stars Over Georgetown Path” quilt shown at right.
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The Bishop Hill Heritage Association
The Bishop Hill Heritage Association was organized in 1962 with the original goal of saving the Colony Era buildings from destruction and restoring them to functional use. They continue to maintain these historic properties, cultural heritage, and strive, through educational programming, to develop in each visitor a sense of pride in our past, present, and future. The administration office, museum, and archives of the Bishop Hill Heritage Association are located in the 1854 Steeple Building. The Heritage offers group tours by appointment. Admission is free but donations are appreciated.
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April - December, Mon - Sat, 10 - 5, Sun 12 - 5,
January - March, Mon - Sat 10 - 4. Sun 12 - 4 |
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The Bishop Hill Old Settlers' Association
The Colony School, West Main Street, Bishop Hill, Illinois
The Old Settlers’ Association was organized in 1896 to observe the 50th anniversary of the founding of the colony. Since 1962, Old Settlers’ Day has been celebrated on the second Saturday in September. In 1953, the Old Settlers took the first community steps in preservation when they purchased and restored the 1861 Colony School.
Today the schoolhouse, kitchen, and grounds are available to the public to rent for meetings, parties, and special occasions. |
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The Bishop Hill State Historic Site
Four historically significant buildings are owned by the State of Illinois and are maintained as part of the Bishop Hill State Historic Site. These architectural treasures are the two-story Colony Church (1850), the three-story Colony Hotel (1852-ca. 1860), the Boys Dormitory (ca. 1850), and the Colony Barn (mid-1850s) that has been relocated behind the Hotel. In addition, the state owns the central village park containing a reconstructed gazebo and war monuments. On the south edge of the village, the state built a new brick Museum to house a comprehensive collection of paintings by colonist and self-taught artist, Olof Krans (1838-1916).
The state sponsors cultural events throughout the year and most notably coordinates and funds the traditional nineteenth-century harvest festival, “Jordbruksdagarna,” held on the last full weekend of September each year.
The Church, the Park, and the Gazebo can be reserved and rented for special events.
The Krans Museum, The Bjorklund Hotel, and the Colony Church are open to the public.
Groups are welcome and encouraged to make appointments.
Admission is free but donations are appreciated.
Hours and days of operation change with the season. Please call to confirm your visit. |
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The Henry County Historical Museum
202 South Park Street, Bishop Hill, Illinois
Thousands of historical artifacts tell the history of Henry County in this one-story museum. Exhibits include a single cylinder external combustion steam engine, a military room, a wind and water power display, 1800’s quilts and clothes, farm tools and machinery, a general store complete with a harness shop, and period doctor, dentist, and lawyer offices.
Group tours are welcomed; please call ahead.
Open everyday. May 1st - October 31st, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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Vasa National Archives
106 South Bishop Hill Street, Bishop Hill, Illinois
In 1973 a large brick building was erected to provide a permanent home for the Vasa National Archives. The purpose of this organization is to house and preserve a vast variety of records, documents, works of art, science, inventions, and items manufactured by persons of Swedish ancestry. Here these records are made available to the public in an effort to educate and promote an appreciation of Swedish-American heritage and tradition.
Open by appointment or at these times:
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10 AM - 4 PM Tuesday-Saturday, and 12-5 PM on Sundays
April 1 through December 20
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PO Box 47