To honor Bishop Hill’s very own Company D, IL 57th Volunteer Infantry during the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the BHHA has organized Bishop Hill Civil War Day for Saturday May 9, 2015. There will be a Civil War encampment in the village park, with programs every hour throughout the day. Meet Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln, General Blackjack Logan, and other Civil War figures. Witness an artillery demonstration, skirmish, and much more. Finish your visit by attending an evening Civil War Dance at the Colony School. Also, the Steeple Building Museum, Henry County Museum, and Bishop Hill Museum will have special Civil War displays. All these programs are free and open to the public.
For the Ladies Tea at the Steeple Building Museum, please call 309 927-3899 to reserve a spot. Walk-ins for the tea are welcomed but reservations will have priority. For more details about Civil War Day, go to www.bishophillheritage.org, call 309 927-3899, or email bhha@mymctc.net.
Program Schedule for May 9 Bishop Hill Civil War Day
9 a.m. – General John “Black Jack” Logan performance by Brian “Fox” Ellis; Village Park Gazebo
10:15 a.m.- Artillery Demonstration by Battery G, 2nd IL Light Artillery; Coopers’ Field
11:00 a.m. – Mother Bickerdyke performance by Helen Milan; Dairy Building
11:00 a.m.- Anti-Slavery Movement in Black and White program by Jeanne Schultz Angel; Henry County Museum
12:15 p.m.- Civil War Field Embalming demonstration by Jon Austin; Twinflower Inn
12:15 p.m.- Ladies Tea by the Ladies of Charity; Steeple Building
1:15 p.m.- The Story of the Gettysburg Address by Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln as portrayed by Max and Donna Daniels; Village Park Gazebo
2:30 p.m.- Skirmish; Coopers’ Field
3:15-Medical Demonstration by the 17th Corps Field Hospital ; Village Park at the 17th Corps Field Hospital
4:00 p.m.-Civil War Music by Hammer and Pick ; Steeple Building Museum
4:00 p.m. to 7 p.m.-Supper can be purchased at P.L. Johnson’s or the Colony Inn
7:00 p.m.-Civil War Dance featuring “Too Old to Be Controlled” with caller Gail Hintze ; Colony School
Sponsorships
Thank you to all the reenactors, too numerous to list, who participated this year. Also, thank you to the BHHA volunteers. Without the help and participation of the reenactors and volunteers, Bishop Hill Civil War Days would not have been possible! Finally, thank you to the following organizations, individuals, and foundations for sponsoring programs or assisting with the event: Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, Illinois Arts Council Agency, Galesburg Community Foundation, Bill and Susan Sherrard Foundation, Swedish Council of America, Illinois Humanities Council, Bishop Hill State Historic Site, Robert Mellon, Neal and Diana Cooper, Henry County Museum, and Twinflower Inn (www.TwinFlowerInn.com).