Andover, Illinois - a hidden treasure you must see, where Jenny Lind, the Swedish Nightingale, left a lasting legacy

Welcome 

Andover, which celebrated its 185th+One birthday on June 5-6, 2021, is strategically located between the Quad-Cities (22 miles), Galesburg (28 miles), Geneseo (18 miles), and Kewanee (22 miles). Within this western Illinois area of over 400,000 persons, you will find the amenities usually only offered in large cities:  shopping, educational opportunities, recreation, art, museums, healthcare facilities, and restaurants.

Served by Interstate 74 and IL Route 81, Andover is a community where some 600 persons live, work, raise a family, and retire. Old historic homes are blended with new homes and historic buildings as you travel in all four directions from the former colony square - now the beautiful ten-acre Andover Lake Park.

This brief video and these photos highlight Andover's tourist attractions.

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Andover Christmas Walk 2023

Sunday, December 3rd

4:45-7:00 p.m.

4:45-5:00 p.m.   Andover Lake Park Gazebo

Tree Lighting Ceremony and Sing-a-long led by Orion High School Syncopation Choir

5:00-7:00 p.m.  Andover Village Hall

Create Holiday Crafts and Glow Stick Favors

Design a homemade Christmas card using recycled materials

Take photos and visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus

Bid at the Silent Auction on a variety of Christmas items

Frost and decorate your own Christmas Cookie

Enjoy the Christmas Vignettes throughout the building

Back by popular demand:

5:00-6:30 p.m. Soup Supper—served in Lower level

Soup, crackers, drinks and Christmas cookies

Join us for a bowl of soup and friendly conversation

5:30-7:00 p.m.  Andover Lake Park

Tractor-pulled wagon rides (weather permitting)

Drop-off and pick-up by east pavilion

 Jenny Lind Chapel Concerts

5:45 Orion High School Syncopation Choir—highlighting holiday favorites

6:15 The Nice List—featuring hymns, Christmas songs and a few original pieces

JOY OF CHRISTMAS IN ANDOVER

WITH AUGUSTANA COLLEGE

Students and faculty from Augustana College join the community for this beautiful service of worship and music that starts at Augustana Lutheran Church in Andover at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, December 6.  The Christmas story will be read in several different languages.

The service concludes with a procession to the near-by historic Jenny Lind Chapel, which is illuminated by 100 candles, and where Holy Communion will be celebrated to the strains of familiar Christmas carols.  Hot chocolate and cookies will be served in Luther Hall-Augustana Church immediately after the service.  This will be the 52nd year this service has been held in Andover.  The college and Augustana Lutheran Church were both started by Pastor Lars Paul Esbjorn in the mid 1800's, fostering a close connection between the two throughout the years.

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JENNY LIND CHAPEL TO HOST WILD COLUMBINE QUARTET IN JUNE

Wild Columbine, a Springfield area quartet, will give a concert at the Jenny Lind Chapel on Sunday, June 4, 2023, 2 pm.  The group plays music from the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, including “Jenny Lind Medley.”  The concert will include the stories behind the songs.  It is described as parlor or traditional music, and easy to listen to.  Music is history in that sense, and it’s interwoven with music.  Wild Columbine tries to make sure people know where the songs they play come from.  Playing in a small group setting is perfect for their goals.

Members of Wild Columbine are:  Sally McDaniel Smith, flutist and vocalist; Megan Thornberry, violin and vocals; Emily Wheeler, mandolin, guitar and vocals; and William “Bill” Fury, leader, who handles a range of musical duties, including vocals, guitar, concertina, bodhran and harmonium.