The Bishop Hill Heritage Association is presenting a program by Bill Owens on his recent book, “The Scorecard: A Glimpse into Vintage Baseball Through a Bishop Hill Lens.” The book tells the story of a young Bishop Hill man, John Root Jr., who attended a baseball game in Chicago during the 1873 season. While at the game, he kept score on a scorecard and sent it along with a letter to a friend, Andrew Jacobson, who lived in Bishop Hill. The letter and scorecard were kept for many years and ultimately was included in the Jacobson family’s estate donation to the BHHA in late 2013. Once uncovered, these artifacts of Bishop Hill and early baseball became the central focus of Owens’ book. In addition, copies of Bill Owens’ book will be available for purchase at the event and all proceeds from its sale will go to support the BHHA and its many efforts to maintain the historic properties and the Swedish culture that is unique to Bishop Hill. This program will be on Saturday, May 21, 2016 at 2 p.m. in the Steeple Building Museum in Bishop Hill.
The Henry County Historical Society Museum is offering a program titled, “A Brief History of Baseball and the Players Who Played It,” on Sunday, May 22, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. at the Museum in Bishop Hill. The program will be presented by Bill Owens and will highlight the evolution of baseball from its earliest beginnings to the game as it is today. He will focus on the origins of baseball, the major changes to the game as it has evolved, and highlight many of the baseball legends who combined to make baseball “America’s Pastime.” In a room filled with baseball artifacts and memorabilia, Owens will utilize a PowerPoint presentation that incorporates slides and videos to “bring the sights and sounds of baseball to life” for attendees. Audience participation will be encouraged.
Both of these programs are free and open to the public. For more details, call 309 927-3899, go to www.bishophillheritage.org, or email bhha@mymctc.net.
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