OUR HISTORY
The Rockford Historical Society is a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to helping preserve the history of the Rockford area. About 100 members receive quarterly articles in Nuggets of History on the area's past events, individuals, families, places and structures. There are annual and special activities given each year. The society welcomes new members and encourages its membership to write about their histories and those of others in the area. The society is a member of the Illinois State Historical Society. We do not have an archive so we do not collect historic items, but will endeavor to help you find a proper place for items of history that you think may be of significance to a wide audience. We will also try to help you in a history quest you are pursuing by offering connections to others. The society welcomes the wider community in the Rock River Valley and Winnebago County.
HISTORY AND PURPOSE OF THE ROCKFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Rockford Historical Society seeks to preserve the history of Rockford, its residents, industry, retail businesses, churches, and other aspects of the community and surrounding area, through pictures, stories and artifacts from 1834 into the 21st century. The purposes of the corporation as stated in its Certificate of Incorporation are: “To serve the City of Rockford and its people in the preservation of items of historical interest; in compilation, dissemination, and distribution of local history; in owning and maintaining property for use as headquarters, to serve as archives and the preservation and display of historical materials; in creating membership of persons interested in local history and the culture of the community; and the performance of other activities incident to carrying out the purposes of the organization.” Editor's note: The headquarters mentioned is now the Rockford Museum Center, but the organizations are now separate. RHS is still affiliated with the Rockford Museum Center, but does not itself collect artifacts.
According to information written by Bob Borden, a past-president of the society, Blanche Alden, David Johnson, and Herman Nelson applied for incorporation of a new organization, to be called the Rockford Historical Society, in late 1961. The articles of incorporation were issued by the Secretary of State on November 22, 1961.
A meeting of those interested was called for Sunday afternoon, March 4, 1962, at the Erlander Home Museum. Forty Rockford residents attended, and a committee was appointed to write by-laws. A second meeting was held on March 25, at which twenty -four of those present at the first meeting, and twenty-one newcomers attended. The by-laws were accepted, and the by-laws committee was appointed to also be the nominating committee, to report back on April 29. The officers then elected were Ray P. Lichtenwalner, president; Frank St. Angel, first vice president; William H. Barrick, second vice president; Blanche Alden, third vice president; Barbara Nilsson, secretary, as well as twenty-four directors.
At a directors’ meeting in October 1963, it was decided to publish a periodical journal. W. Ashton Johnson was appointed editor, and it was he who named it “Nuggets of History.” This highly acclaimed publication is still produced today and is sent to each member of the historical society.
Another early project of the society was to place a large boulder near the dam, with a plaque explaining that it marks the location of the rock ford, after which Rockford was named.
The Rockford Historical Society sponsors programs, lectures, dinners, cemetery walks, and essay contests. They donated money each year to the Rockford Public Library. The society also researches historic events, homes and people. Although never owning a museum, the society was one of the three sponsoring organizations which began the Midway Village Museum on Guilford Road.
The Rockford Historical Society is a volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to helping preserve the history of the Rockford area. About 100 members receive quarterly articles in Nuggets of History on the area's past events, individuals, families, places and structures. There are annual and special activities given each year. The society welcomes new members and encourages its membership to write about their histories and those of others in the area. The society is a member of the Illinois State Historical Society. We do not have an archive so we do not collect historic items, but will endeavor to help you find a proper place for items of history that you think may be of significance to a wide audience. We will also try to help you in a history quest you are pursuing by offering connections to others. The society welcomes the wider community in the Rock River Valley and Winnebago County.
HISTORY AND PURPOSE OF THE ROCKFORD HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Rockford Historical Society seeks to preserve the history of Rockford, its residents, industry, retail businesses, churches, and other aspects of the community and surrounding area, through pictures, stories and artifacts from 1834 into the 21st century. The purposes of the corporation as stated in its Certificate of Incorporation are: “To serve the City of Rockford and its people in the preservation of items of historical interest; in compilation, dissemination, and distribution of local history; in owning and maintaining property for use as headquarters, to serve as archives and the preservation and display of historical materials; in creating membership of persons interested in local history and the culture of the community; and the performance of other activities incident to carrying out the purposes of the organization.” Editor's note: The headquarters mentioned is now the Rockford Museum Center, but the organizations are now separate. RHS is still affiliated with the Rockford Museum Center, but does not itself collect artifacts.
According to information written by Bob Borden, a past-president of the society, Blanche Alden, David Johnson, and Herman Nelson applied for incorporation of a new organization, to be called the Rockford Historical Society, in late 1961. The articles of incorporation were issued by the Secretary of State on November 22, 1961.
A meeting of those interested was called for Sunday afternoon, March 4, 1962, at the Erlander Home Museum. Forty Rockford residents attended, and a committee was appointed to write by-laws. A second meeting was held on March 25, at which twenty -four of those present at the first meeting, and twenty-one newcomers attended. The by-laws were accepted, and the by-laws committee was appointed to also be the nominating committee, to report back on April 29. The officers then elected were Ray P. Lichtenwalner, president; Frank St. Angel, first vice president; William H. Barrick, second vice president; Blanche Alden, third vice president; Barbara Nilsson, secretary, as well as twenty-four directors.
At a directors’ meeting in October 1963, it was decided to publish a periodical journal. W. Ashton Johnson was appointed editor, and it was he who named it “Nuggets of History.” This highly acclaimed publication is still produced today and is sent to each member of the historical society.
Another early project of the society was to place a large boulder near the dam, with a plaque explaining that it marks the location of the rock ford, after which Rockford was named.
The Rockford Historical Society sponsors programs, lectures, dinners, cemetery walks, and essay contests. They donated money each year to the Rockford Public Library. The society also researches historic events, homes and people. Although never owning a museum, the society was one of the three sponsoring organizations which began the Midway Village Museum on Guilford Road.
Message from the RHS Board:
The Rockford Historical Society is a non-collecting organization. As a non-collecting entity, we do not accept artifact donations or maintain collections. The Rockford Historical Society will not accept artifacts that are mailed or left unattended at Veterans Memorial Hall. Items that are left unattended or mailed will be considered property of the Society and may be disposed of in any manner the Society deems fit.
If you would like to submit an object/artifact for consideration to a museum’s collection, please contact one of the various Rockford historical museums:
Burpee Museum of Natural History – www.burpee.org
Midway Village Museum – www.midwayvillage.com
Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum - www.tinkercottage.com
Ethnic Heritage Museum - www.ethnicheritagemuseum.org/
Swedish Historical Society – www.swedishhistorical.org
Veterans Memorial Hall – www.veteransmemorialhall.com
If you would like to submit an object/artifact for consideration to a museum’s collection, please contact one of the various Rockford historical museums:
Burpee Museum of Natural History – www.burpee.org
Midway Village Museum – www.midwayvillage.com
Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum - www.tinkercottage.com
Ethnic Heritage Museum - www.ethnicheritagemuseum.org/
Swedish Historical Society – www.swedishhistorical.org
Veterans Memorial Hall – www.veteransmemorialhall.com