Swedish books visible in the display case, from left, are: A bible, open to a foreword to the book of Psalms; a book by Erik Jansson, founder of the Bishop Hill colony; the 1819 Wallin psalm book used in services; and a copy of Luther's Small Catechism: Doct. Mårten Luthers Lilla Catechis, med Förklaring af Doct. Ol. Swabelius (1858).
A volunteer at the museum in the Steeple Building, which is maintained by the Bishop Hill Heritage Society, said a visiting scholar from Purdue took measurements of the instrument several years ago and said it is in unusually good shape. No living tradition of playing it in the area, but it would have been used in rural Lutheran churches.
A SAD NOTE. The Red Oak, one of the restaurants in town, had a flier up in its plate glass window saying, "State closings do not affect this business." I hope they don't!
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