bishop hill illinois

There is a wide variety of great shopping, plus a fascinating museum. Love the Scandinavian feeling.

If you have visited the Virginia towns of Williamsburg or Waterford, you have a feel for what Bishop Hill, Illinois, is all about. At least that is as close as this well-worn traveler can get in making comparisons. And you don't have to go to Virginia to experience it. Bishop Hill, located in Henry County along the South Edwards River in western Illinois, may not be as well known but the little country village (population: 128) has survived the test of time. It is located about three hours from Chicago and an hour from the Quad Cities. Founded in 1846 by a group of Swedish immigrants seeking religious freedom, Bishop Hill grew and flourished for 15 years before disbanding in 1861. Surviving buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, the charm and character of the original colony remains in its museums, eateries, gift shops and art galleries. If you've been to Galena, you'd love Bishop Hill, a rich heritage with fewer tourists. Start at the welcome center, a former general store, a good place to get your bearings. Some of the most interesting places to visit are the Gallery Inn, Colony Store, Prairie Arts Center, Mary's Simple Treasures, Sugar N' Spice, Peasantworks and Barnstrom Forge, Feathered Nest at Windy Corner, Hantverk Galleri, Village Smithy, Sweet Annie Primitives, Summer Cottage and Wires and Wood. Thanks to the Bishop Hill Heritage Association and local citizens for rehabbing the community and turning it into a state treasure.

We've been visiting Bishop Hill occasionally for about twenty years now and have seen some of it's shops close and others open. The primary attractions regarding Swedish heritage are consistent if maybe a little routine now. Some fresh energy is needed in this quaint village to draw those who may have visited before. The people are as friendly as ever and the operators of those new shops mentioned did have a renewed enthusiasm. I hope that enthusiasm can spill over into the main attractions. Special events or fairs my liven up the spirit of the town. One change that had us saddened is the loss of the Red Oak restaurant. Even though it has been replaced by a very nice antique store I will miss it's contribution to our early trips. I will always have a fondness for Bishop Hill and hope that the community can continue to entertain and inform visitors of it's rich heritage.

I first visited the Bishop Hill Colony over 40 years ago, and it looked shabby and abandoned then. Since then, funds from the state plus an amazing amount of work by the Bishop Hill Heritage Association and local citizens have transformed what was a utopian colony founded by religious dissenters from Sweden in the 1840s. Descendants of the original colonists serving as docents have made this small community a living museum. They provide educational and recreational programs for school groups, observe traditional Swedish festivals such as Midsummer and Lucia Day, and sell traditional Scandinavian foods and gifts at the Colony Store. There are also facilities for doing archival research. It's about 3 hours from Chicago, 1 hour from the Quad Cities.

Liked various shops and museums. People are so friendly. Village is packed with history. During week, village is very quiet after 6 pm. We stayed at Gallery Inn which is lovely. Suggest getting food for evening at bakery by 4pm.

Nice area to visit. Everything is within walking distance. Beautiful park in the center, with all the shops and restaurants surrounding.Handmade pottery, brooms, handmade mittens and of course Chocolates.

This is a nice Little Place North of Galesburg. It's the settlement for the Swedes who came here in the 1840s. Since we are from Sweden it was an interesting place to visit. There are some museums that show the history of Bishop Hill and the area and´a few cafés and restaurants as well. Of course there are a couple of stores, especially one dedicated to Swedish food, design and souvenirs. If I am right the museums don't have entrance fees but are grateful to donations.

I have travelled to Bishop Hill multiple times over the years. It was a beautiful place of rolling green hills dotted with well kept farms. I always enjoyed the drive through Henry County.Now, the countryside has been covered with wind turbines, hundreds of them. The local government must have all approved this. I guess revenue from supplying Chicago power wins.America the Beautiful, gone. I won't be going back.

We were expecting to see homes to tour or guides to help us. this place is about 8 streets total with a couple small shops. Seemed almost deserted.

We visited as a part of a bus tour. Be sure to take your camera & walking shoes. The video shown at The Steeple Building was excellent. Plan to spend most of the day there if you want to see all that's worth seeing. Unfortunately, our tour bus had to leave way too soon.

If you like historical colonies lovingly preserved this should be on your list. Wayyy off the beaten path but accessible from I-74 near Peoria/Galesburg, this is a tiny Swedish colony now serving as an artists' village. Spend the day, there's plenty to see and eat. One of the potterymaker shops has a resident Newfoundland to welcome you! She is the highlight of the day! The Colony Church has a resident who went to grammar school in Bishop Hill and can relate stories of growing up there. Crank-style phones were the only kind in use until 1957 in Bishop Hill.The Filling Station is a good place to sit on the covered porch and have iced tea and a slice of pie- fresh strawberry is the best and its not overly sweet either - get a scoop of ice cream on it! Nothing froufrou about it and service is friendly. Stop at the first Museum Building before you enter the Colony itself for the explanatory short video and to see the primitive portraits of the original settlers.

Incredibly interesting Swedish settlement from 1846. Seeking religious freedom a group of Swedes followed their leader to America and through incredibly harsh times build a settlement in Bishop Hill. There are numerous sites to see including their old and primitive but lovely church, museums,art center (where they have broom makers, potters and weavers creating their wares in person). A wonderful and enlightening experience and great way to spend a day.