Two hundred years ago, hardy pioneers created Henry County, so, in honor of this occasion, the Bishop Hill Chautauqua will look back at the people who impacted Henry County history.

From a Native American view of Illinois history to true tales of the Underground Railroad, the founding of Bishop Hill and the story of the immigrants who built this country, the Bishop Hill Heritage Association will celebrate Henry County’s Bicentennial in this traditional Chautauqua.

The annual Chautauqua is a free public event where storytellers, historians and musicians perform first-person portrayals of famous historical figures. This free festival will take place in Bishop Hill at the gazebo in the town square on Saturday, August 9.

The day begins at 9 a.m. with “A Storyteller’s Tour of Bishop Hill,” a walking tour led by professional storyteller and historian Brian “Fox” Ellis.

The tour will start at the gazebo, last about 75 minutes, and cover about three-quarters of a mile. The stories will explore the founding of the town within the context of Henry County history. It will end at the gazebo in time for the first performance.

At 10:30 a.m., Jimmy Lakota Edwards will share songs and stories about the Native American history of our area and maybe a social dance. He is a First Nations singer, dancer and wisdom keeper.

Afterwards there is a lunch break with time to visit one of several restaurants in Bishop Hill.

Ellis will perform as Benjamin Dann Walsh at 1 p.m. Walsh was the first state entomologist of Illinois. He lived just outside the Bishop Hill Colony and Ellis, as Walsh, will share an outsider’s view of the Colony. He was also an adamant abolitionist involved in the Free Kansas Movement.

At 2 p.m., Angie Snook, retired Geneseo Historical Museum Director, will portray Harriet Cone Miller, a member of one of the founding families of Geneseo. They created the town as a station on the Underground Railroad. Miller will let us in on the secret inner workings of the Underground Railroad in Henry County.

Next, at 3 p.m., Peoria singer-songwriter Barry Cloyd will reprise a crowd favorite, Illinois poet laureate and Lincoln biographer Carl Sandburg. Sandburg’s sister Mary was a teacher at the Bishop Hill Colony School.

As the performances wind down, the audience is invited to join the Bishop Hill Heritage Association for Fika (free cookies, coffee and conversation). Discuss the programs with the performers at the park gazebo. The audience is invited to ask questions of the performer and share stories of their own.

All of the Chautauqua programs will be held at the gazebo in Bishop Hill’s town square, on the corners of Main Street and Bishop Hill Road. Folks are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and to bring a friend. This free public event is sponsored by the Bishop Hill Heritage Association, Community State Bank, Illinois Arts Council, Geneseo Foundation, Galesburg Community Foundation and Fox Tales International.

For more information, call 309-927-3899, visit www.bishophillheritage.org or email bhha@mymctc.net.