From natural to local history, from fun activities to informational tours, from dinosaurs to architecture to art, Rockford has it all when it comes to museums. Museums are a great way to get a glimpse into the past, and the high-quality museums here in Rockford are no exception. Whether you’ve never heard of them or been there a thousand times, the museums on this list are always a great experience. Here are some of the museums right here in our hometown that are absolutely worth a visit!
Burpee Museum of Natural History
From live animals to extinct ones, Burpee is the place to be for animal and dinosaur lovers. Featuring Jane the Dinosaur, the world-famous nearly complete juvenile T-Rex skeleton, Burpee adds yet another claim-to-fame for Rockford. The museum has fun events like animal encounters, private fossil and dinosaur tours, and haunted tours of the Barnes Mansion. The museum staff goes on digs every year in Montana or Utah, so if you haven’t visited in a while, chances are there are some new things to see. If you want to learn more about animals and past creatures, pay Burpee a visit!
Tinker Swiss Cottage
Tinker Swiss Cottage is a Victorian house museum built in 1865 by Robert Hall Tinker. Featured on several paranormal TV shows, Tinker is one of the most haunted places in Rockford and offers paranormal tours throughout October. They also feature a fun exhibit in October for visitors to experience a Victorian funeral. Around 98% of the museum collection is obtained from the occupants of the cottage throughout history and is a great glimpse into Rockford history, being built barely 30 years after the city was founded.
Rockford Art Museum
With tons of art to enjoy year-round, the Rockford Art Museum is an excellent place for anyone wanting to experience some of the artistry Rockford has to offer. The art museum features several events throughout the year, including art-related clubs, art fairs, and more, including the Greenwich Village Art Fair in September. They also have several temporary exhibitions in addition to their permanent collection, like their bloom exhibit every spring, so be sure to catch them while they’re here! The gallery has free admission, so it’s a great way to experience history and culture for free here in Rockford.
Midway Village Museum
If you’re looking to learn more about the history of Rockford itself, Midway Village is the place to visit. They feature historical exhibits featuring midwestern history throughout the 1900’s from sock monkeys to the Rockford Peaches to daily life. The museum docents are knowledgeable and friendly and are an excellent resource for all your local history questions. Midway Village features several events throughout the year, including World War II Days, All Hallows Eve, Horrors & Haunts: History’s Dark Side, and so much more. The museum grounds also contain a Victorian village with 26 buildings, and you can catch historical reenactments throughout the summer.
Veterans Memorial Hall and Museum
This museum is a great resource to learn about veterans of Winnebago County and their stories. Dedicated to veterans of all wars, Veterans Memorial Hall and Museum was one of the first of its kind in Illinois. They display and preserve relics and artifacts of the soldiers featured in the museum. Beginning as an idea of an obelisk with carved names, the concept evolved into a multifunctional building to honor the area’s veterans and opened in 1903, when its grand opening was marked by a speech and dedication from Theodore Roosevelt himself. The museum offers several educational events throughout the year and is a must-visit for anyone interested in learning about Rockford’s role in the military!
Ethnic Heritage Museum
The Ethnic Heritage Museum is a museum here in Rockford dedicated to the primary immigrant groups that settled in southwest Rockford: African American, Hispanic, Irish, Italian, Lithuanian, and Polish. With exhibits for each of these groups, this museum is a great way to dive into Rockford at the very beginning. The Graham-Ginestra House Museum is also a part of this park, and is a museum dedicated to the homestead of the families of Freeman Graham Sr. and Leo Ginestra, who started successful businesses in Rockford. The museum is a great window into the beginning of Rockford and is the perfect way to learn about how this city began.
Discovery Center Museum
The Discovery Center is the perfect introduction to science for little ones. Featuring exhibits on the human body, electricity, sports, space, machines, communication, agriculture, color and light, math, and more, this museum is a fantastic way to combine fun and learning for kiddos everywhere. They also feature several special events throughout the year, so make sure to keep an eye out for any limited upcoming events. The Discovery Center makes amazing memories that will be cherished for a lifetime and brings education to experiences outside of school. It’s a great place to visit to keep kids’ brains active over summer break, and a great way to get out of the house for a fun activity, and they feature free days throughout the year for those looking for an inexpensive activity to do with the kids.
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Laurent House
The Laurent House is a home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and is his only building designed for a person with a disability. Built around 1950, this Usonian home features a hemicycle single-story design and is designed to maximize sun exposure. The house was built for Phyllis Laurent and her husband Kenneth, who was rendered paraplegic during World War II. Wright himself listed the house on a list of his 35 most significant buildings, and it sits right here in Rockford. For those that love architecture, the Laurent House is something you won’t want to miss!
Macktown Living History
Located in Rockton, Macktown Living History includes several historic buildings, including the 1846 Whitman’s Store, the 1839 Stephen Mack residence, the rebuilt Stevens shop, which originally housed the first schoolhouse in Winnebago County, and the modern Macktown Living History Education Center. They showcase a variety of artifacts from all eras throughout history, so this museum is a great way to learn about human history from the start through 1850. The museum hosts an event called Macktown Sundays, which features reenactors, presenters, and volunteers who present a variety of topics that span cultures from prehistoric times to 1850. Make sure to schedule a tour next time you’re paying a visit to Rockton!
Historic Attractions
For those who love cars, Historic Attractions in Roscoe is an absolute necessity. With 80,000 square feet of attractions and exhibits, Historic Attractions showcases an impressive display of automobiles, including the world’s largest collection of Presidential and World Leader’s Limousines. Gangster-era vehicles and memorabilia, TV Land cars, a large Elvis Presley display and memorabilia, and cars from hit movies like Batman, Ghostbusters, and Back to the Future are some of the exhibits you can find at this museum. They also feature exhibits that showcase the old west, Kennedy family artifacts, Egyptian artifacts, antique clocks, and much more. Everyone is sure to find something to enjoy at Historic Attractions, no matter what era of history you enjoy!
