Bishop Hill State Historic Site facts for kids

Bishop Hill State Historic Site is a cool open-air museum in Illinois. It's like stepping back in time! This special place is in Henry County, Illinois, near a small town called Bishop Hill, Illinois.

The Colony Church, built in 1848, was an important building for the community.

The Illinois Historic Preservation Agency helps protect and share the history of Bishop Hill. They manage four old buildings in the village. This whole area is part of the National Register of Historic Places and was even named a National Historic Landmark.

What is Bishop Hill?

Bishop Hill was once a unique religious community. It was started in 1846 by a Swedish leader named Eric Janson. His followers were called "Pietists," and they wanted to create a perfect society where everyone worked together. Many of these settlers were skilled builders and artists.

Explore the Historic Buildings

Today, you can visit several original buildings at Bishop Hill. These buildings show how the community lived and worked.

The Colony Church

The Colony Church was built in 1848. It's a two-story building with a Greek Revival style. Part of it was used as small apartments for the people living in the colony. Inside, you'll find a museum that tells the story of Bishop Hill. It also has copies of old items from the colony.

The Colony Hotel

The Colony Hotel was built between 1852 and 1860. It's a large, three-story building made of stuccoed brick. Imagine what it was like when travelers stayed there long ago!

The Boys Dormitory

The Boys Dormitory was built around 1850. It's a smaller, two-story building where the boys of the colony likely lived and studied.

The Colony Barn

The Colony barn was built in the mid-1850s. It was moved behind the Hotel to where the original stable used to be. Barns were very important for farming communities like Bishop Hill.

Village Park and Museum

The state also owns the village park. You can find a gazebo there, which is a small, open building, and memorials. These memorials remember the first settlers of the town and the soldiers who fought in the Civil War.

There's also a special museum building. It holds a collection of early American folk art. These paintings were created by a colonist and artist named Olof Krans. His art shows what life was like in the Bishop Hill community.