Bishop Hill rests quietly in south Henry County, about 20 miles northeast of Galesburg. The most direct drive from Chicago–roughly three and a half hours–is to take I-55 south to Joliet and west to Illinois highway 82; then take 82 south for about 25 miles to the marked turnoff for Bishop Hill and drive north about 3 miles. To catch a little more heartland, leave I-80 earlier, at the interchange with Illinois highway 34 outside Princeton, and take 34 south and west through Sheffield, Kewanee, and Galva. About 5 miles west of Galva, take the turnoff for Bishop Hill and drive north about 3 miles.
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The best place to get oriented once you arrive is probably at the Steeple Building, which houses the Bishop Hill Heritage Museum, operated by the Bishop Hill Heritage Association (309-927-3899). Abundant literature is available there on the Colony, its people, and Swedes and utopians in general. A permanent exhibit documents the saga of the Bishop Hill colonists, and additional exhibits and artifacts fill other rooms of the museum. A slide show is offered periodically throughout the day. Be sure to pick up a map of the town and, preferably, the Heritage Association’s “Official Walking Tour” pamphlet. Inquire about guided tours at the desk. The museum is open 9 to 5, seven days a week.
Approximately every five steps on the main drag will lead you past a different craft or gift shop. Unlike other places, however, the commercial element blends in carefully here, and more often than not the proprietors are serious, knowledgeable craftspeople themselves. This is the Swedish Rodeo Drive, from quilts and Swedish-made shirts to baskets and homemade brooms. For overnight accommodations, the options are limited at the moment, but what’s there is comfortable. Holden’s Guest House (309-927-3500) on East Main (really at the edge of a field) offers semiprivate and private accommodations in a lovely restored farmhouse that has all the comforts you’d want (including central air-conditioning) combined with a truly rural setting. For a modest extra charge, Steve Holden will assemble a “hospitality package” that you can prepare in the farmhouse kitchen or barbecue outside, The Holdens soon plan to open an inn above their store in the Colony Administration Building.
