Midway Village Museum — Attraction in Rockford Township

DO NOT USE THIS PLACE! I would give ZERO STARS IF THAT WAS AN OPTION!!! While I will say that the grounds are Historical and Beautiful, the Manager, Patrick and the Director, Lisa are the MOST IGNORANT & UNCARING Human beings I have ever come across in my life! My Husband & I put a deposit down on the barn and the Chapel for our wedding ceremony and reception. Within a couple months, my Dad was diagnosed terminally ill. We decided to have a small ceremony so that my Dad could be there. Lisa was given all of his details and told me that she would refund our Deposit if the barn and the Chapel were rented out before our wedding date, 10/7/23. They were given almost a year in advance notice so the Chapel and the barn were rented out again by another couple. 3 of my Bridesmaids called to verify it. Lisa then refused to refund our deposit. My Dad did pass away. She did not care. I then got in touch with Patrick through the actual Rockford Park District Liason, Laurie (who was the only person who had any compassion). Patrick was even more rude and inconsiderate than Lisa was. Instead of offering his condolences for my Dad dieing, he told me to have my attorney contact him. I never even brought up an attorney. At the end of the day, we took the loss. I do not recommend this venue! Not because it's not a nice place but because the people running it, Patrick & Lisa, are the most HEARTLESS, RUDE AND INCONSIDERATE Human Beings on this earth! While I do understand that you sign a contract, there are times in life, like death, that are out of your control! This is a situation where EVERY vendor we had gave us a full refund except Midway Village Museam. The Rockford Park District felt terrible but it was the decision of Lisa and Patrick and they are so money hungry that they did not care that my Dad died! PATRICK AND LISA THERE IS A SPECIAL PLACE IN HELL RESERVED FOR THE TWO OF YOU! You both have no idea what it means to BE KIND! MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON BOTH OF YOUR SOULS! QUIT RIPPING PEOPLE OFF WHEN UNCONTROLLABLE CIRCUMSTANCES HAPPEN THAT ARE OUT OF YOUR...

I've visited Midway Village Museum numerous times over the years. It is an outstanding small museum that does a wonderful job sharing Rockford's unique history. From sock monkeys (they have ones you can buy in the gift shop), the Rockford Peaches baseball team, to the newest exhibit on Camp Grant there is plenty to see and learn. I had heard good things about World War ll Days, but just recently attended for the first time. It was amazing! The reinactors transported you to the camps of the various countries involved. The village houses and barns featured educational displays. There were food trucks with plenty of yummy food and beverages. Seeing soldiers march through the village and army Jeeps and tanks in action was really cool--l had never seen a tank move in person before (faster than you would think). Hats off to everyone that participated, they were generous and kind in sharing their passion for WWll history. Especially wonderful for children who lack a personal reference. Both my grandfathers and one grandmother participated in the great war, so that displays that related to their experiences were particularly interesting to me. Such a wonderful presentation. A highlight was a special appearance by the Rockford Peaches! Really enjoyed the camps in the forest area that featured bunkers that had been built/dug as well as tents pitched. There was a terrific mock battle held on the field at the end. My only regret was that we attended on Sunday--the last day. I would attend the entire weekend, in the future... Just too much...

Midway Village is a great place to learn about American History. They cater to schools for field trips and have recreated a working Victorian village there with many buildings in it: a blacksmith's shop, Newspaper print shop, a general store, a one room schoolhouse, etc. It's got a few different events throughout the year that represent different time periods. Example: WW2, Civil War, etc. I have been there several times, but only during Civil War days. There are many things to see besides the little village as they set up stations around the property with different actors in period costume to teach children about life and war during America's history. Everything is interactive. Kids get to help fire a cannon (very cool!), learn how to march in ranks, how to wield a sabre (wooden), enlist in the military, and a multitude of other things. In all the times I've been there I've never made it to every station I wanted to within the time frame I was there. (Usually about 4 hours with a short lunch break in there.) One of their best offerings is a headline speaker that talks to the kids as a historical figure. The man they have doing Abraham Lincoln is AMAZING. I could go and listen to him speak as Lincoln for hours. And he looks exactly like him. Well worth the hour bus ride for our field trips!! I enjoy...