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Atwood Environmental Center - Winter Wanderings
February 20, 2010 - February 20, 2010
Times: Sat: 12pm-3pm
Winter is a beautiful season, when snowy animal tracks and white drifts highlight Atwood Park. Using the "Leave No Trace" principle of observing wildlife, without disturbing it, we will track the frozen landscape in hopes of catching a glimpse of some of the park's year-round residents. En...
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Museums and History

What does a dinosaur named Jane, a children's discovery museum, a turn-of-the-century village and museum center, and a rare example of Victorian "exotic" architecture have in common?

Rockford, of course. Our fine list of museums and Rockford attractions will capture the attention of any history buff. From Rockford's newest - and oldest - dinosaur (named Jane) at Burpee Museum of Natural History to the more than 250 hands-on children's exhibits at the Discovery Center Museum, you can truly spend your day in Rockford's downtown River District learning, listening, dissecting and discovering.

 

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Burpee Museum of Natural History Burpee Museum of Natural History
(815) 965-3433
Riverfront Museum Park
737 N. Main St.
Rockford, IL 61103

Don't miss Burpee Museum's annual PaleoFest March 6 & 7. http://www.burpee.org/PaleoFest2010.aspThe award-winning exhibit, Jane: Diary of a Dinosaur, explores the history of the young T. rex skele... MORE INFO

No Image Available Bushnell Wheeler House
(815) 389-1514
542 Wheeler Ave.
South Beloit, IL 61080

Completed in 1856 for Reverend Alexander Montgomery, the agent for the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, this Italianate Villa has been restored to its former glory. Local area his... MORE INFO

No Image Available Camp Grant Museum
(815) 395-0679
1004 Samuelson Rd. (corner of Samuelson Rd. and 6th St. at the Chicago/Rockford International Airport
Rockford, IL 61109

Memorabilia of Rockford's Camp Grant, U.S. Army induction and training camp during World Wars I and II. The museum, an original building of Camp Grant, houses the Command Post restaurant and contains ... MORE INFO

Discovery Center Museum Discovery Center Museum
(815) 963-6769
Riverfront Museum Park
711 N. Main St.
Rockford, IL 61103

Experience a world of hands-on investigation and fun-filled exploration at this children's museum with more than 250 hands-on art and science exhibits, planetarium, TV studio, robotics lab, special ev... MORE INFO

Erlander Home Museum Erlander Home Museum
(815) 963-5559
404 S. Third St.
Rockford, IL 61104

The cultural centerpiece of Rockford's Swedish-ancestry community, Erlander Home Museum is located in Rockford's first brick home, built by John and IngaStina Erlander family in 1871. Restored to its ... MORE INFO

Ethnic Heritage Museum Ethnic Heritage Museum
(815) 962-7402
1129 S. Main St. (IL 2)
Rockford, IL 61102

Six nationalities that helped shape the cultural region are represented in this home museum, built in 1850. Located in the heart of the old water power district, the house features a room for each eth... MORE INFO

Historic Auto Attractions Historic Auto Attractions
(815) 389-7917
13825 Metric Dr.
Roscoe, IL 61073

More than just a display of historic automobiles, it's a journey through time! Over 75 historic autos displayed in 36,000 sq. ft., including the world's largest collection of presidential and world le... MORE INFO

No Image Available Historic Neighborhood - 3rd Union College
Boundaries: College Ave., S. 2nd Street, Morgan and the Rock River
Rockford, IL 61101

Founded in 1847, Rockford Female Seminary, today's Rockford College, brought growth and prosperity to the area surrounding its campus. Prominent citizens built stylish homes across from the campus. Th... MORE INFO

No Image Available Historic Neighborhood - Brown's Hills-Knightsville
Boundaries: N. 2nd, Rural, Guilford, Parkview and Spring Creek
Rockford, IL 61107

The historic district of Knightsville is a unique community built for the sole purpose of providing housing for a single industry, the Skandia Furniture Company, built in 1889. The isolated and self-s... MORE INFO

No Image Available Historic Neighborhood - Churchill Grove
Boundaries: North Main St., Whitman St., Auburn St. and the Rock River
Rockford, IL 61103

The origin of this northside neighborhood dates back to 1829 when, through the Treaty of Prairie du Chien, the land was given to Catherine Myott, daughter of a Winnebago Indian and a French soldier. T... MORE INFO

No Image Available Historic Neighborhood - Coronado Haskell
Boundaries: N. Main, Whitman, Rockton Ave., and Jefferson
Rockford, IL 61101

James Polk was president in 1843 when George Haskell filed his claim for 145 acres along the western banks of the Rock River. He built his home and sold lots to Seth Whitman and John Coleman who in 18... MORE INFO

No Image Available Historic Neighborhood - Garfield Avenue
Garfield & Rockton Avenues
Rockford, IL 61103

Thomas and Electa Garrison bought land beyond the city limits in 1853. In 1882 this farmland was subdivided into five parcels to settle the Garrison estate. The first home was built in 1911 and by the... MORE INFO

No Image Available Historic Neighborhood - Haight Village
Boundaries: 1st Ave., College, S. 2nd St. and the river
Rockford, IL 61104

Haight Village, Rockford's first local historic district and the only Rockford neighborhood on the National Register of Historic Places, formed the southeast corner of newly incorporated Rockford in 1... MORE INFO

No Image Available Historic Neighborhood - Indian Terrace
Indian Terrace, north of Beattie Park, east of N. Main St.
Rockford, IL 61103

At the turn of the century, neighbor-cousins subdivided their riverfront backyards and created the Indian Terrace neighborhood, naming the street after one of their mansions. This charming neighborhoo... MORE INFO

No Image Available Historic Neighborhood - North End Square
Boundaries: N. Main, Auburn, Fulton and Ridge Streets
Rockford, IL 61103

This neighborhood gives meaning to "A man's home is his castle." Starting in the early 1890's the area was settled by working-class citizens. Today's residences reflect decades of doting by homeowners... MORE INFO

No Image Available Historic Walk-Abouts - River District
(800) 724-8431
River District
Rockford, IL 61103

These popular, free two-hour tours explore the architecture and history of a different downtown neighborhood each month from May through September. Hear the stories shared by the guides, guests and pr... MORE INFO

No Image Available Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza
0.25 miles south of Riverside Blvd. on Perryville Rd. (0.5 miles west of I-90/39
Loves Park, IL 61111

Dedicated to peace, tranquility and celebrating diversity and heritage this 2.5-acre park near I-90/39 and Riverside Blvd. showcases 40 flags, 30 languages, 10 prophets of peace, two hemispheres, one ... MORE INFO

Midway Village Museum Midway Village Museum
(815) 397-9112
6799 Guilford Rd.
Rockford, IL 61107

6th Annual Sock Monkey Madness Festival - "Abracadabra”Sponsored By: OSF Saint Anthony Medical Center11 am - 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday, March 6 & 7An original one-of-a-kind event,  the S... MORE INFO

No Image Available Pecatonica Heritage Museum & Welcome Center
(888) 851-1559
312 - 316 Main Street
Pecatonica, IL 61063

The Pecatonica Heritage Museum was formed with the dual purpose of preserving the history of Pecatonica’s historic grain elevator and adaptively using it for the benefit of the surrounding community. ... MORE INFO

No Image Available Riverfront Museum Park
(815) 972-2800
711 N. Main St.
Rockford, IL 61103

Arts and humanities complex housing Discovery Center Museum, Rockford Art Museum, Rockford Dance Company office and studies, Northern Illinois Public Radio offices and Rockford Symphony Orchestra offi... MORE INFO

Rockford Art Museum Rockford Art Museum
(815) 968-2787
Riverfront Museum Park
711 N. Main St.
Rockford, IL 61103

2010 Rockford Midwestern - January 22 - April 25, 2010The Rockford Midwestern is a biennial juried exhibition that originated as an annual showcase for local artists.  The year 2010 marks the 71s... MORE INFO

No Image Available Rockton Township Historical Society Museum
(815) 624-4830
529 Green St.
Rockton, IL 61072

History of early settlers, Wagon Wheel resort memorabilia and other items of Rockton and northern Illnois history. The museum is a grout house built circa 1856. The modern Carriage House features exhi... MORE INFO

No Image Available St. Mary's Grotto
(815) 965-5971
518 Elm St.
St. Mary's Church
Rockford, IL 61102

People from everywhere come to St. Mary's Grotto to meditate and pray in its dimly lighted, cool, rock-like setting. The Grotto is modeled after the Shrine in Lourdes, France where the Virgin Mary app... MORE INFO

No Image Available Stephen Mack Home & Whitman Trading Post
(815) 624-4200
2221 Freeport Rd. (Macktown Forest Preserve)
Rockton, IL 61072

Built in 1834 on the Pecatonica River by fur trader Stephen Mack, one of the area's first settlers. See the walnut cradle Mack made for his children, plus Native American artifacts, donated by Mack's ... MORE INFO

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum
(815) 964-2424
411 Kent St.
Rockford, IL 61102

A rare example of Victorian exotic architecture, this 1865 Swiss "cottage," was built by early Rockford industrialist and Rockford mayor Robert Tinker. Parquet floors, ornate woodwork, murals, sculptu... MORE INFO

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Fun Facts

fun sockmonkey1nelson Did you know Rockford is the home of the sock monkey? Learn more interesting facts about our region.
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