Celebrate the life of Abraham Lincoln and the end of the Civil War at the Bishop Hill Chautauqua on Saturday and Sunday, August 29 & 30, 2015. In its third year the Chautauqua is adding a second day. There will also be a morning workshop for teachers, actors, students and home-schoolers on ‘Stepping into Character’, how to research and write first person monologues. Plus there will be a special youth component with students from Geneseo and Williamsfield performing on the main stage Sunday afternoon.
This year the community is invited to meet Abraham Lincoln and his friends. With a theme of “Lincoln and The Civil War”, you are invited to meet Lincoln, his boyhood friend Austin Gollaher, Lincoln’s law partner William Hendon, Elizabeth Keckley a Freed Woman and First Ladies’ Confidant, and James Monroe, the Drummer Boy of Shiloh. All programs will be held at the village park gazebo in Bishop Hill, IL.
Folks are encouraged to bring a lawn chair; and plan to come early to eat lunch in one of three restaurants, visit museums and craft shops. This free event is sponsored by the Bishop Hill Heritage Association, Illinois Humanities, The Illinois Arts Council, private donations, and The Twinflower Inn Bed and Breakfast. For more information, call 309 927-3899 or email bhha@mymctc.net .
The Schedule
Saturday, August 29
10 a.m. A workshop for Teachers, Actors, Storytellers and Students on “Stepping Into Character” bringing history to life with Brian “Fox” Ellis in the Steeple Building.
1 p.m. Austin Gollaher:
Lincoln’s Boyhood Friend (Brian “Fox” Ellis)
2:15 p.m. Elizabeth Keckley:
First Lady’s Dressmaker (Kathryn Harris)
3:30 p.m. The Drummer Boy of Shiloh
The Civil War in Song (Barry Cloyd)
Sunday, August 30
1 p.m. Local students perform as various historical figures
2:15 p.m. William Herndon
Speaks on Lincoln the Lawyer (Brian “Fox” Ellis)
3:30 p.m. A Visit with Abraham Lincoln (Fritz Klein)
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