Harriet Cone Miller, Angie Snook, and the Underground Railroad

As part of the 2025 Bishop Hill Chautauqua, Angie Snook, retired Geneseo Historical Museum Director, will portray Harriet Cone Miller, a member of one of the founding families of Geneseo. They created the town as a station on the Underground Railroad. Miller will let us in on the secret inner workings of the Underground Railroad in Henry County. Her first person performance as Harriet Cone Miller will start at 2 p.m. at the park gazebo on Saturday August 9.
Harriet Cone Miller came to Geneseo, IL with her parents as a little girl in 1836. One of the articles of their creed was antagonism to human slavery. They organized a branch of the Underground Railroad almost immediately in Geneseo. Harriet was the eldest child in the family and regarded old enough to be admitted to the secret with duties to help get her fellow man out of bondage to freedom. She and her family risked their lives over and over again for the freedom of others.
Angie Snook, after 27 years as Director/ Curator of the Geneseo Historical Museum, retired June 1st, 2024. Angie has dedicated over 40 years researching the rich history of Geneseo and Henry County during her years of service to the Geneseo Historical Museum. She has served as display designer, historian, educator and everything else that goes along with running a local museum. According to Angie, “My greatest privilege is sharing educational programs throughout the Midwest to children and adults showcasing our rich heritage.”
All of the Chautauqua programs will be held at the gazebo in Bishop Hill’s town park, on the corners of Main Street and Bishop Hill Road, in Bishop Hill, IL. Folks are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and to bring a friend. This free public event is sponsored by the Bishop Hill Heritage Association, Community State Bank, Illinois Arts Council, Geneseo Foundation, Galesburg Community Foundation, and Fox Tales International. Regional Media is our major media sponsor. For more information, call 309-927-3899, visit www.bishophillheritage.org, or email bhha@mymctc.net .