Tours

The Bishop Hill Heritage Association provides guided tours for all large groups. Tours last approximately one hour and generally begin at the 1854 Steeple Building with a 14 minute video. This presentation highlights the descendants of the Colony who speak about the original Colony, its reasons for coming into existence, when it dissolved etc. and their life in the Colony growing up.

The tour can either be a Step-On, or a Walking. If it’s a Step-On, the guide actually will step onto the bus and take the microphone and discuss the use of the original Colony buildings, many unknown facts about the Colony, its’ founding, period technology, and the economic climate surrounding the Civil War.

If you wish to set up a tour, please fill out the Registration Form below. You will receive a call from a Bishop Hill Heritage representative to finalize the details of your tour. Thank you for your interest in Bishop Hill Heritage Association.

Fill Out the Registration Form »

 

    Name:

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    Tour Date:

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    Walking Tour:

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    Tour price is $4/person. Escorts and drivers are complimentary. Additional adults are $4/person

    SCHOOLS: Reduced rate of $1.00/student — teachers and drivers are complimentary. Payment may be made upon arrival. BHHA requires that a deposit of $20.00 be made to hold tour date. This deposit will be subtracted from your total tour cost on tour date. If there is a cancellation, tour deposit will be paid to guide. It is the duty of the teacher or tour leader to collect fees from individuals prior to arrival and have the payment ready for the front desk volunteer.

    Our minimum tour price is $20.00 per group.

    Maximum number of people per guide is 40 on a walking tour. Groups larger than 40 may be divided into smaller groups and assigned an additional guide. There is no minimum requirement for the number of people on a tour of Bishop Hill, but the minimum tour price is $20.00. A second guide can be provided for groups smaller than 40 upon request. There is an additional $20.00 fee for this service.

    Please provide as much advance notice as possible should you need to cancel or change your scheduled tour. If you neglect to notify us of cancellation, you will be billed $20.00 per guide to defray the cost of each costumed guide.

    Changes or additional tour arrangements can be made by contacting:
    BISHOP HILL HERITAGE ASSOCIATION
    P.O. BOX 92
    BISHOP HILL, IL 61419
    309-927-3899
    bhha@mymctc.net

    We look forward to seeing you in Bishop Hill!


    TOUR DESCRIPTION:

    Bishop Hill Tours – Apr. 1-thru Labor Day – The below buildings are open (State Historic Site Buildings) 5 days/week, being closed Mon. and Tuesdays only.

    Restrooms located at the Bishop Hill Museum (Krans-south side of town), the Visitors Center, and the Colony Church.

    Bishop Hill tours generally begin at the 1854 Steeple Building. We begin with a 14 min. video presentation which highlights the descendants of the Colony who speak about the original Colony, its reasons for coming into existence, when it dissolved etc. and their life in the Colony growing up.The tour guide can either be a Step-On, or a Walking. If it’s a Step-On the guide actually will step onto the bus and take the microphone and discuss the use of the original Colony Building and many unknown facts about the Colony, its’ founding, period technology and the economic climate surrounding the Civil War.

    1848 Colony Church – 2nd stop on tour – older photo looks same today. Restrooms are located 25’ west of this building.  The first stop will be at the 1848 Colony Church. The tour leader is very knowledgeable and can give your group much important information on this and all buildings. The Colony Church visitors will again continue with the bus around the ball-park to the 1852 Bjorklund Hotel where, again, they will stop the bus and learn about this building and its’ many stories.

    1852 Bjorklund Hotel – 3rd stop on tour.  The tour guide will lead visitors to the first and up to second floor relaying stories of this buildings’ importance. After the Bjorklund Hotel visitors will travel east on Main St. with the tour guide who will continue to discuss Colony history and the tour will conclude at the corner of Bishop Hill St. (north/south st.) and Main. The 1853 Colony Store is right on the corner and the Bishop Hill Bakery just around the corner or P.L. Johnsons Restaurant on the north side of the park. That is basically the tour in a nutshell