Olof Krans Birthday Party November 4 to Feature Characters from the Past

BISHOP HILL - Portraits by Bishop Hill's artist, Olof Krans, will come to life at the celebration of the artist's 169th birthday on Sunday, November 4 at the Bishop Hill Museum. The party will be from 2 to 4 p.m., with the gallery program at 2:30 p.m.

Stop by for birthday cake, coffee, punch, and listen to the stories of Bishop Hill Colonists featured in Krans portraits. The artist's mother, one of the Colony trustees, a Colony weaver, and the proprietor of the Colony Hotel will be portrayed by local actors Bea Spivey, Jeff Olson, Lauretta Nordstorm and Jim King. The Bishop Hill Old Settlers' Association has allowed the use of their scripts for the program.

Olof Krans was born November 2, 1838 in Salja in Nora Parish in Westmanland, Sweden. He immigrated to Bishop Hill with his parents and siblings in 1850. Olof was one of the Colony Ox Boys, and in 1861 he joined with other Bishop Hill Colony men and mustered into the Union Army in Company D, 57th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He returned to the area eventually settling in Galva. There he established a painting business, painting buildings, numerous commercial signs, and even stage scenery. He died in Altona January 4, 1916 and is buried in the Galva Cemetery.

The November 4 celebration, sponsored by Bishop Hill State Historic Site, is free and open to the public. The Bishop Hill Museum is part of Bishop Hill State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. The site is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for free public tours. For additional Krans birthday party information call (309) 927-3345.