Historic Nauvoo -- May 12, 2011

Jim Wilhelm, host of WTVP’s “Illinois Adventure” series, accompanied OLLI on our day-long trip to Nauvoo and provided insightful commentary and anecdotes about the historical town and its founders.

Our adventure included a step-on tour by and commentary about the Reconstructed Nauvoo Temple, a visit to many of the historical sites along Main Street (including a brickyard, bakery, gunsmith shop, and post office), a blacksmith shop tour and demonstration, and a guided tour of the Joseph Smith Historic Site. We also enjoyed a wagon ride through the 1840s historic district, heard the stories of early settlers by actors dressed in period clothing, and saw the restored homes and businesses on the “Flats” as they existed over a century ago.

After lunch, we visited Baxter’s Vineyards and Winery, the oldest winery in Illinois that was featured on the Food Network’s “Alton Brown Feasting on Asphalt” series.