A large audience of guests and Galva Rotary members were recently taken back to the mid-1800s when the Bishop Hill colony began.
The time travel held at the Galva Senior Center was facilitated by the Bishop Hill Heritage Acting Troupe, whose members include Diane Lindbom, Vickie Massie, Jean Combite and Kathy DeCrane.
Their program was inspired by one of eight short stories written by the late Cheryl Dowell in 2014, telling the stories of the Swedish immigrants who forged a community in Henry County’s Bishop Hill.
The program was dedicated to Dowell, a colony descendant, who was involved in many aspects of the village and was one of the main historians in the village.
DeCrane told the audience that those sailing to the New World from Sweden were looking for economic opportunities, self-governance and religious freedom. She was quick to note that at the time, the area surrounding the newly formed colony was larger than Chicago. Reaching Chicago by a series of boat rides, the families walked to west central Illinois, where they planned to create a “Utopia on the Prairie.”
The first winter, the newly arrived colonists lived in earthen dugouts. During the harsh season, many died from cholera and other illnesses. Mass graves were used to bury the dead, and despair was a daily emotion.
In the spring, the remaining members set about making wooden and brick structures, clearing fields and planting crops. Days were long, and food was scarce.
A marriage ban was put into place, as adding more mouths to feed would be difficult.
At first, the medium of exchange was animal pelts, and later it was grain, skillfully woven rugs and other farm produce.
“Lumber to build the large colony church and other buildings was brought in from as far away as Peru, Ill.,” said DeCrane. She said much of the new colony became self-sufficient, with a blacksmith shop, skilled carpenters, tinsmiths, locksmiths and dairymen who kept the colony in business.
The Colony Church, which still stands today, was the meeting place for the colonists. Many lived in small rooms located inside the church, with up to four families living together in the cramped quarters.
As the need for more housing grew, the “Big Brick” was constructed and soon housed 96 families.
The troupe, all dressed in period costumes, told many stories about their experiences, including the long, difficult voyage from their homeland.
“We will never see our families again,” said Lindbom’s character, Brita. “I try not to think too long on that.”
Massie’s character, Anna, had much to say about her life in the village. In charge of 200 cows, she entertained everyone by doing “the cow pie dance,” designed to keep her new shoes from being soiled by her bovine’s droppings.
Both Brita and Combite’s character, Marie, scolded the younger woman for her interest in the Ox Boys, who worked as hired hands and lived together in a dormitory near the church. “They are all too young for you,” said Brita, to which Anna merely shrugged.
Conversation about the church’s religious services was a popular topic. “We must be careful where we sit,” said Maria. “Should the wax drip on us from the overhead candles, we are likely to stick to the pews.”
She went on to talk about how the pews were divided: “The men on one side and we women on the other is a silly concept.” As the other two looked on in horror, she added, “I think next time I am going to sit on their side – just to see their faces!”
Even Anna was shocked, with Brita shaking her head and saying, “Maria, you must watch yourself!”
As the three continued to knit and weave, the subject of food surfaced. Since all the colonists dined in the large room inside the Big Brick, it made a combined effort to prepare all the food needed.
“It’s a good thing that Swedes are strong,” said Anna. “It takes two of them to carry the huge hot pots of porridge and vegetables.”
Anna quickly pointed out that the pepper kaka (ginger) cookies are a village favorite but admitted they were bad for her figure. Brita chimed in, noting that Surstromming, made from fermented herring, was her choice. “It’s a delicacy if you don’t smell it.”
All three made mention of the short-lived marriage ban, enacted by the founder and spiritual leader, Eric Jansen; and his murder by John Root on the Cambridge courthouse steps. His demise shocked the community, and although he had proclaimed that he would arise from the dead, as Jesus did, several days of him lying in state proved him wrong.
Other leaders followed, such as Jonas Olson and Sven Bjorkland, all of them leaving their mark on the history of Bishop Hill, with a long list of descendants to keep the history alive.
Each one of the actors has deep Swedish roots and they perform often for community and church groups. By weaving together Dowell’s carefully crafted stories with a large smattering of humor, the group is a favorite of local audiences.
To learn more about the Heritage Association and the programs it offers, go to BishopHillheritage.org, or call (309) 937-3899.
