Museums and History

Booker Washington Community Center
(815) 968-8861
524 Kent St.
Rockford, IL 61102

Booker Washington Community Center's mission is to provide an environment that promotes the quality of life, values and the welfare of the People of o... MORE INFO

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

The award-winning exhibit, Jane: Diary of a Dinosaur, explores the history of the young T. rex skeleton found by Burpee researchers in the badlands of... MORE INFO

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... MORE INFO

Camp Grant Museum
(815) 395-0679
1004 Samuelson Rd.
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... MORE INFO

Discovery Center Museum
(815) 963-6769
711 N. Main St.
Riverfront Museum Park
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... MORE INFO

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 I... MORE INFO

Ethnic Heritage Museum
(815) 962-7402
1129 S. Main St. (IL 2)
Rockford, IL 61101

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 powe... MORE INFO

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... MORE INFO

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 citiz... MORE INFO

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 Furnitu... MORE INFO

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, daug... MORE INFO

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 so... MORE INFO

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 e... MORE INFO

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 so... MORE INFO

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 afte... MORE INFO

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 ... MORE INFO

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. He... MORE INFO

Keeling-Puri Peace Plaza
N. Perryville Rd.
0.25 mi. south of E. Riverside Blvd.
0.5 mi. 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 lang... MORE INFO

Macktown Living History Education Center
(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, ... MORE INFO

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

The museum campus consists of a Victorian village with 26 historical buildings filled with artifacts of the era as well as several beautiful... MORE INFO

Paulson's Agriculture Museum of Argyle
(815) 885-3846
6910 Belvidere Rd.
Caledonia, IL 61011

"Home of the largest and best collection of farm equipment and antiquites of yesteryear." Over 700 cast iron implement seats, 50 antique tractors, win... MORE INFO

Pecatonica Heritage Museum & Welcome Center
(888) 851-1559
314 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... MORE INFO

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 ... MORE INFO

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

Illinois' largest art museum outside of Chicago with over 1,500 works of art; noted for its permanent collection of 19th and 20th Century American art... MORE INFO

Rockton Township Historical Society Museum
(815) 629-2210
529 Green St.
Rockton, IL 61072

History of early settlers, Wagon Wheel resort memorabilia and other items of Rockton and northern Illinois history. The museum is a grout house built ... MORE INFO