Northeastern Illinois was home to Native Americans when the 13 original colonies decided to break from Great Britain. The Prairie State did play a part, albeit a small one, during the Revolutionary War, sparked by the July 4, 1776, Declaration of Independence.
The state’s celebration of the historic semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the declaration, will reflect what little role Illinois played. Not like we have touristy revolutionary trails, as some, like the Boston area and New York State.
Instead, the Land of Lincoln, which also celebrates its 207th birthday this year since its 1818 statehood, has plans to showcase contributions to the nation’s early history and how Illinoisans carried forward the ideals of the declaration. Communities are encouraged to reflect on democracy, self-government and civic responsibility.
Lake County is taking a similar tack, highlighting how national ideals impact our daily lives. Such as the Lake County Forest Preserves offering special exhibits, programs and events to mark the celebration. Also planned is a public reading of the declaration, time and place to be determined.
The Illinois contribution during the American Revolution was led by Virginia-bred Brig. Gen. George Rogers Clark, whose band of revolutionary warriors captured Kaskaskia in far Downstate Illinois in 1778.
Clark’s attacks in what was then termed the Northwest Territory and a section of the British province of Quebec in Canada kept the Redcoats busy trying to defend their lands. A Clark aide, fellow Virginian Lt. Col. John Montgomery, led an expedition against several Native American tribes to prevent the British from organizing them.
In May 1780, in what was the western-most action of the Revolutionary War, Montgomery’s force of 350 burned a tribal village near present-day Rock Island.
Eventually, Illinois and the Northwest Territory became U.S. property following the signing of the 1783 Treaty of Paris, which ended Revolutionary War hostilities between the nascent America and the British. Two Revolutionary War veterans who saw action during that time are buried in Lake County.
The grave of Henry Collins, who enlisted in a Massachusetts militia unit in 1781 at the age of 16, was discharged in 1783. He is in Mount Rest Cemetery in Newport Township, according to historical records. Collins came to Lake County in 1844, settling along Edwards Road, east of Hunt Club Road, in the township, and dying in 1847 at the age of 84, old for folks of that era.
Connecticut-born Reuben Hill is the other. He, too, enlisted at a young age, 15, in 1780 with a New York State militia. Discharged as a private in 1783, he came to Lake County in 1840, living on a family farm along Route 176, south of Bangs Lake. He died in 1858 and was interred in Wauconda Cemetery off Barrington Road.
One of the more interesting events marking the county’s inclusion in the nation’s birthday is one planned by Improv Playhouse in Libertyville: A world-premiere live radio-theater presentation, “Voices of Liberty,” scheduled to open June 12 and run through June 20.
The theater group based at 130 N. Milwaukee Ave., says the play will be presented in the style of a classic 1940s live radio broadcast, “weaving together historical dramatization, humor, music, cinematic sound design, ensemble storytelling, and vintage-style commercial interludes into an experience unlike anything currently being staged in the region.”
David Brian Stuart, founder and executive director of Improv Playhouse, and author of the all-ages play, said in a statement that its format, “allows America itself to speak through time, through taverns, battlefields, immigrant ships, convention halls, front porches, factories, classrooms, churches, and family kitchens.”
“Voices of Liberty” will be performed by a 10-person ensemble cast portraying dozens of characters, in a vintage-inspired 1940s radio theater staging similar to classic original American radio broadcasts. Tickets range from $15 to $25.
“We wanted audiences to hear not only founders and presidents, but immigrants stepping onto Ellis Island, soldiers at Valley Forge, a schoolteacher in a tenement classroom, a son leaving for war, a grandmother passing something fragile and essential to the next generation,” Stuart said. “The ordinary voices matter as much as the famous ones, maybe more.”
Don’t think there are other theater groups in the region taking the bold step of an original production tied to America’s 250th anniversary, so it might be worthwhile to sit in on a performance. It’s one creative way to salute 250 years of liberty and independence.
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To purchase tickets for “Voices of Liberty” or for more information, see www.improvplayhouse.com or call 847-968-4529.
Charles Selle is a former News-Sun reporter, political editor and editor. [email protected]. X @sellenews