Hands on History - Visit our local museums!  ​
*Click on the Museum name to be redirected to their website*

Burpee Museum of Natural History
737 N. Main Street, Rockford 61103

It is the mission of Burpee Museum of Natural History to inspire all people to engage in a lifetime of discovery and learning about the natural world, through preservation and interpretation.

​Erlander Home Museum/Swedish Historical Society
​404 S. 3rd Street, Rockford 61104

​The Swedish Historical Society is organized exclusively for historical, educational, and charitable purposes. In harmony with this purpose is the operation of the Erlander Home Museum and Nordic Cultural Center. SHS strives for the preservation of Swedish-American history and Nordic culture of Rockford through such activities as the conservation of artifacts, museum displays and educational programs.

​Heritage Museum Park: Ethnic Heritage Museum & Graham-Ginestra House Museum
1129 & 1115 S. Main Street, Rockford 61105

In The Ethnic Heritage Museum you will find six fascinating galleries devoted to the primary immigrant groups that settled in southwest Rockford, IL. African-American, Hispanic, Irish, Italian, Lithuanian and Polish.

Take a guided tour through the historic 1857 Graham-Ginestra home. This beautiful landmark boasts of Greek Revival and Italianate architecture. The interior of the house still exhibits amazing artifacts and charm.

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum
​411 Kent Street, Rockford 61102 ​

Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum is a historic Victorian house museum dedicated to sharing the history of the Tinker family and Victorian Rockford history. ​

Discovery Center Museum
711 N. Main Street, Rockford 61103

Discovery Center Museum is a hands-on children's science museum with more than 300 exciting interactive exhibits spread throughout 23,000 square feet on two floors. The museum's mission is to create opportunities for playful learning and discovery through hands-on experiences in the sciences and arts.

Frank Lloyd Wright's Laurent House
4646 Spring Brook Road, Rockford 61114

The Kenneth and Phyllis Laurent House is a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Usonian house in Rockford, Illinois. It was the only house that Wright designed for a physically disabled client. ​

Midway Village Museum
6799 Guildford Road, Rockford 61107

Midway Village Museum was organized in 1968 by the Swedish, Harlem and Rockford Historical Societies for the purpose of collecting, preserving and interpreting the history of the Rockford area. It began with a donation of land by the Severin Family and has grown dramatically since.

Rockford Art Museum
711 N. Main Street, Rockford 61103

Founded in 1913, Rockford Art Museum exists to enrich the quality of life in the Rockford region through a permanent art collection, frequent art exhibitions, and lifelong art education. ​​

Veterans Memorial Hall
211 N. Main Street, Rockford 61101

​Veterans Memorial Hall and Museum is a living memorial to Veterans from all wars. It will serve as a constant reminder to the sacrifices given by brave men and women from Winnebago County and a way for generations to remember and learn about their lives.