Midway Village & Museum Center
The Midway Village & Museum Center in Rockford, Illinois is a unique and educational place to visit. Visitors to the museum can see how people lived in northern Illinois in the late 1800s and early 1900s. It is an interesting trip through time that is both educational and fun.
The museum is on a 148-acre campus with 26 old buildings, many of which were built in the area. The buildings are set up like a village, which makes visitors feel like they are really there. There are a few homes, a general store, a blacksmith shop, and a schoolhouse in the village. There are artifacts and displays in each building that bring the past to life.
The quality of the exhibits is one of the most interesting things about Midway Village. The museum has won a lot of awards for its interesting and informative interpretive displays. People can look at displays about farming, industry, transportation, and everyday life in the early 1900s. One exhibit, for example, tells the story of the Rockford Peaches, a women’s baseball team made famous by the movie “A League of Their Own.”
The Living History program is another thing that makes Midway Village great. Visitors can step back in time and see how people lived in the late 1800s by talking to interpreters who are dressed in period clothing. Through stories and hands-on activities, the interpreters are good at making the past come alive. Visitors can learn how to churn butter, make candles, or even try their hand at blacksmithing.
Midway Village has many special events throughout the year in addition to its exhibits and Living History program. World War II Days, which happen in September, are one of the most popular events. Reenactors, old military vehicles, and living history displays at the event bring the sights and sounds of World War II back to life. There will also be a Civil War reenactment, a Victorian Tea Party, and a holiday party called “Christmas at Midway.”
Overall, Midway Village & Museum Center is a great place to visit because it is both unique and educational. Anyone interested in history or who wants to see how people lived in the late 1800s should go there. The museum’s displays are interesting and full of information, and the Living History program is a must-see. Whether you live in the Rockford area or are just visiting, Midway Village should be on your list of places to go.
The hard work of its staff and volunteers is one of the reasons why Midway Village is such a great place to visit. The Midway Village Museum Society runs the museum. This is a non-profit group that wants to keep the history of northern Illinois alive. The society has a staff and a group of volunteers who are passionate about history and committed to giving visitors a great time.
Staff and volunteers at Midway Village are always working on new projects to improve the museum’s exhibits and facilities. In 2018, for example, a new exhibit called “Agriculture: Innovation and Technology” opened at the museum. The exhibit looks at the history of farming in northern Illinois and how technology has changed the industry over time. It has interactive displays where people can learn about the crops grown in the area and the tools used to harvest them.
The historic Lindstrom House in Midway Village was also recently fixed up as a new project. The house is one of the oldest in Rockford. It was built in 1892. As part of the museum’s Living History program, it has been brought back to how it looked when it was first built. People can go inside and see what life was like in a Victorian-era home, complete with furniture and decorations from that time.
In conclusion, Midway Village & Museum Center is a hidden gem in the Rockford area that anyone interested in history, learning, and having fun should check out. The museum’s displays are carefully put together, and it’s impressive how well they show what life was like in the late 1800s and early 1900s. With the Living History program, visitors can talk to knowledgeable and passionate interpreters who bring the past to life. This makes the experience even more immersive.
The fact that Midway Village is always trying to get better shows that it cares about keeping the history of northern Illinois alive. Staff and volunteers at the museum work hard to improve the exhibits and facilities so that visitors have the best time possible. The museum is always trying to teach and entertain visitors. Two examples are the renovation of the Lindstrom House and the opening of the “Agriculture: Innovation and Technology” exhibit.
Midway Village has a lot of special events throughout the year, in addition to its regular shows. These events are a great way to see the museum in a different light and give visitors something special and memorable to remember. In particular, you shouldn’t miss World War II Days, which is a fascinating recreation of a key time in world history.
In short, Midway Village & Museum Center is a place where you can learn and have fun in a way that is immersive and interesting. The museum’s excellent exhibits and Living History program show how much it cares about preserving the history of northern Illinois, and its staff and volunteers work hard to give visitors a great time. Midway Village is a great place to go if you like history or just want to have fun and learn something new in the Rockford area.