Valkommen to Bishop Hill, a historic Swedish colony on the Illinois prairie where lingonberry tea, handmade rugs and homemade breads are only a few of the delights that have survived since the town’s founding in 1846. Created as a utopian religious community, the idyllic town, registered as a national landmark, is a retreat from modern life.
Tours of historic buildings scattered throughout the village give visitors a chance to experience what it would have been like to live in the mid-19th century. The Colony Church, with its wrought iron chandeliers and walnut pews, reveals the austerity of the settlers’ beliefs, while the three-story Colony Hotel, with its creaky wide-plank floors and restored kitchen, shows how the community stayed connected to the outside world.
Lining the streets are quaint antiques shops, art galleries, and gift stores, where shoppers can find works by local artisans alongside treasures from a hundred years ago. The Prairie Arts Center hosts demonstrations by weavers, potters and broom makers — all of whom sell their wares. And the Bishop Hill Museum exhibits works by nationally recognized folk artist Olof Krans, who documented the joys and struggles of the original settlers.
And then there’s the Swedish cuisine. Specializing in traditional dishes, The Red Oak serves up köttbullar (Swedish meatballs) as well as Swedish cream and raspberry sauce. Visit the Colony Bakery for a loaf of Swedish rye bread or a dozen orange lingonberry muffins.
Although the colony dissolved after the beginning of the Civil War, the utopian dream continues, offering travelers a place to escape for the weekend.