Step Back In Time At Midway Village, A Victorian Village And Museum In Illinois
By Melissa Mahoney|Published April 14, 2021
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Melissa Mahoney
Author
I'm an east coast girl living in a west coast world. I grew up in New England before moving to SoCal for several years. I then lived in NYC or a year before moving to AZ in 2009. I worked in the entertainment industry for many years of my adult life and have a deep love for photography, writing, and traveling around the U.S. as well as to far-flung locations around the world. Travel is my life and writing about it is a dream!
The city of Rockford is home to what many visitors consider the top attraction in Northern Illinois. Midway Village is located on 148 acres of land surrounded by trees. On the property is a 20,000-square-foot museum filled with fascinating and informative exhibits and a 13-acre Victorian village that allows visitors to take a step back in time and learn about what life was like in the early 1900s.
Midway's Main Museum Center is open year-round, providing educational and interactive exhibits for visitors to learn about the rich history of the area on a self-guided tour.
Stories of immigrants from the year 1834 to the present day are found throughout the galleries. Explore the recreated indoor village with a train depot and streets which will transport you back in time.
There is also a Sock Monkey exhibit. This pop culture icon was created in Rockford and you can learn all about it here!
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The 13-acre Victorian Village is open seasonally. One-hour tours are offered by guides who lead visitors through the 26 historical buildings, all of which display period artifacts.
This village shows what life was like in Northern Illinois from 1890-1910. Among the buildings you'll see are a general store, bank, barbershop, church, and schoolhouse.
There are eight Victorian gardens that adorn the property of the Village. These heritage gardens are based upon 19th-century designs and display plants that are not typically seen in modern-day gardens.
The iconic Millhouse sits along the banks of Lake Severin. This stunning 1860s recreated mill has tours offered by appointment only, so make sure you book one ahead of time.
Midway Village Museum hosts events throughout the year. In May is the time of Tour of Duty: World War I Re-enactment Weekend with historic displays, authentic vehicles, and re-enactments.
Visit the website to learn more about this exciting event and others that are held throughout the year.
Midway Village Museum has so much to offer visitors and it’s worth a trip, whether or not you are from Northern Illinois. For more information, visit the website and make sure to follow the Facebook page for updates and special events.
And while you’re in Rockford, why not add another attraction, the Anderson Japanese Gardens, to your itinerary? It will be a great addition to a day or weekend trip!
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