The Bishop Hill Heritage Association is hosting 2023 Civil War Days on May 6-7. Shown- a medical demonstration reenactment. [Submitted Photo]
Bishop Hill–To honor Bishop Hill’s very own Company D, IL 57th Volunteer Infantry, the Bishop Hill Heritage Association is hosting the 2023 Civil War Days on Saturday and Sunday, May 6-7.
There will be Union and Confederate encampments in the village park all day, with programs occurring throughout the day. The civilian encampment and sutler area, which includes a tin-type photographer and an old-fashioned sarsaparilla vendor, will be located by the Steeple Building Museum.
All programs are free and open to the public, due to the generous support of our sponsors: Barbro Osher Pro Suecia Foundation, Geneseo Foundation, and Illinois Arts Council Agency- a state agency.
Some of the programs include an artillery demonstration, a speech by General U.S. Grant, vintage baseball games, Civil War song concerts, a Civil War era Ball, and of course, battles. Special Company D exhibit will be on display at the Steeple Building Museum. For more details, go to www.bishop hill heritage.org, call 309 927-3899, or email bhha@mymctc.net.
Saturday’s Program Schedule:
Soldier Encampment all day in the village park; Sutlers and Civilian Encampment by Steeple Building Museum Vintage baseball games at ballpark all day
9:45 am: Parade by troops from Coopers’ Field, followed by unit picture in front of the Steeple Building Museum
10 am: Speech by General U.S. Grant (portrayed by Dan Haughey) at Village Park Gazebo
10 am: and 1 p.m.: Civil War presentation by Dan Dauw at Henry County Museum
11:30 am: Concert by Wes Wells
Noon: Female Civil War Spies program by Sheryl Hinman in Steeple Building Museum
1 pm: Concert by 33rd band at Village Park Gazebo
2 pm: Artillery Demonstration at Coopers’ Field
3 pm: Battle at Coopers’ Field, followed by Medical Demonstration at Village Park
7-9 pm: Civil War Ball in front of Steeple Building; back up location Colony School
Sunday Program Schedule:
Soldier Encampment all day in the village park; Sutlers and Civilian Encampment by Steeple Building Museum
10 am: 1860’s Food Tasting at Dairy Building (need to preregister by calling 309 927-3899 or emailing bhha@mymctc.net )
11 am: Concert by Hammer and Pick at Village Park Gazebo
Noon: Abraham Lincoln program by Michael Zecher at Steeple Building Museum
1 pm: Artillery Demonstration at Coopers’ Field
2 pm: Battle at Coopers’ Field followed by Medical Demonstration at Village Park
