The Bishop Hill Heritage Association will host a Gunsmiths of Henry County program by Curt Johnson, author of Gunmakers of Illinois 1683-1900.
His presentation is set for Saturday, May 17, and will highlight the gunsmiths of Illinois, with an emphasis on Henry County gunmakers. Guns made by area gunsmiths will also be on display.
Johnson’s program will include the gunsmiths that worked on Illinois soil during the French Colonial period. He will then talk about the early Illinois territory gunmakers. The program will conclude with the gunsmiths of Henry County, and the adjoining counties of Whiteside, Bureau, Stark, Knox, Mercer and Rock Island.
Johnson is a retired tool and die maker with a lifelong interest in antique firearms. His two-volume book set, Gunmakers of Illinois 1683-1900, has information on over 1,500 early Illinois gunsmiths.
This free one-hour public program will start at 1 p.m. on the second floor of the Blacksmith Shop, located at 203 North Bishop Hill Street in Bishop Hill. The event is sponsored by the Geneseo Foundation and the Galesburg Community Foundation.
For more details, call the BHHA at 309-927-3899 or email bhha@mymctc.net.
