By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Rockford’s history museum will celebrate a historic milestone of its own this summer, the 50th anniversary of the opening of its original museum center.
Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, opened to the public on June 16, 1974, under the name Rockford Museum Center.
“Now, after 50 years of expansion, building additions, a name change and expanded programming, we are excited about celebrating this anniversary,” said Britta Peterson, a Midway Village board member and daughter of Carl Severin, who spearheaded the work to found and open what is now Midway Village.
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Midway Village held a news conference on Wednesday to announce its upcoming milestone, which it will celebrate with a free open house on June 16. A separate celebration and fundraiser will be held on Aug. 15 for 815 Day.
Severin bought 13 acres on Guilford Road with a business partner and donated his half to the Swedish Historical Society for the future 10,000-square-foot Rockford Museum Center, according to his daughter. Today the total grounds covers 137 acres and the 52,700-square-foot museum center houses seven exhibition galleries.
“We hope everyone in the Rockford region will make plans to visit Midway Village to celebrate our birthday, and to learn about Rockford’s history and what our history museum has to offer,” Peterson said.
Museum officials also announced a $125,000 gift from The Blazer Foundation that will help restore the interiors of several buildings in the Victorian Village on the grounds. The repair work has already begun.
“We spend a lot time fixing roofs and paint, and sometimes the interiors get a little left behind,” said Patrick O’Keefe, executive director of Midway. “So they’ve made a significant gift for us to really help our visitors have an excellent experience when they go inside our village buildings.”
When the 50th anniversary event happens this summer, the village grounds will be filled with costumed reenactors and historical interpreters. There will also be music from years gone by, children’s games, prizes and food.
“The best part will be the opportunity to experience our beautiful campus on a Sunday afternoon,” Peterson said.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas