Was Black Hawk an early Illinois terrorist, and what was homeland security like in 1832?

ELIZABETH - Was Black Hawk a frontier terrorist, and how did settlers in the area prepare to defend themselves against him?  A new exhibit that opens May 4 and a Black Hawk War militia muster May 5 will bring the 175-year-old conflict to life like never before at Apple River Fort State Historic Site in Elizabeth, Illinois.

 

 "The Transformation of Black Hawk: Frontier Terrorist to Advertising Icon, Sainthood and Beyond," an exclusive new exhibit, opens Friday, May 4 and runs through October 31 at the Apple River Fort Interpretive Center.  The exhibit will explain through text and artifacts how Black Hawk, leader of the dissident Sauk and Fox Indians, after his crushing defeat by the combined forces of the United States government, Illinois State and the Michigan Territorial militia, was transformed from a tragic survivor to a lodestone for commercial enterprise, the focal point of romantic musings, and the spiritual guide for a pseudo-Christian-Voodoo sect in New Orleans.  The exhibit is partially funded by the Galena-JoDaviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

 

            The exhibit opens with a wine and cheese reception Friday, May 4 at 5:30 p.m. at the Apple River Fort Interpretive Center.  Admission is $10 per person, and each ticket holder will receive a premier bottle of Black Hawk or Elizabeth wine from Mossbach Ridge Winery.  Then, a special dinner and Meet the Exhibit Designer program will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Welcome Inn in Elizabeth.  Tickets are $25 per person.  Guest exhibitor Cliff Krainik will present a lively discussion on the transformation of Black Hawk beginning in 1832 and continuing to his impact today.  Tickets for either event may be reserved by calling (815) 858-2028.  

 

Then, experience daily military life on the northwest Illinois frontier as it is re-enacted during "Fire on the Frontier:" Black Hawk War Militia Muster and Encampment" to be held Saturday, May 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Apple River Fort.  The event is free and open to the public.

 

Historic interpreters will portray Captain Clack Stone's Company, 27th Regiment Illinois Militia that was called into service of the United States by the Governor's Orders dated May 15th, 1832 for the Black Hawk War.  Re-enactors will muster into service and make preparations for the defense of the fort.  They will practice firing from the blockhouse and stockade walls, holding inspection of weapons, making lead bullets, sending out pickets, and changing the guard mount.

 

"Rumor has it that there may even be a skirmish with a band of Sauk and Fox at 10 a.m. and again at 2 p.m." said Apple River Fort Site Manager Susan Gordy.

 

Other activities scheduled throughout the day include flag raising, roll call, and period outdoor cooking.  Settlers at the Apple River Fort will recruit and drill visiting "civilians" as they come through.  Partial funding for this event comes from the Galena Rotary Club.

           

The Apple River Fort State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (www.Illinois-History.gov), is a reconstruction of the 1830s civilian fort that was the site of a battle between Black Hawk's Sauk warriors and Apple River settlers during the Black Hawk War.  It is located along U.S. Route 20 in Elizabeth, Illinois, and is open for free public tours.