Learn
- Overview
- FAQ for Educators
- Field Trips
- Free Lesson Plans
- Outreach and Virtual Programs
- Hands on History Days
- Scout Programs
Download our EducatorGuide, to learn more about our program offerings.
Field Trips
The following tours are available to school, home school, and community groups. Museum center tours are available year round. Tours of the Living History Village are only available March-November. To reserve your preferred date please contact us as soon as possible as availability is limited. To get the most out of your visit, click here for suggestions on lessons plans to use before and after your visit.
UPDATES FOR 2024: Civil War History Days education program dates are finalized, and registration is open. Join us from Tuesday, April 30 – Friday, May 3. Also, our annual World War II School Day date for 2024 is Friday, September 27, 2024. To reserve either or both field trips, please email Kendall Clair at kendall.clair@midwayvillage.com or call her at 815-397-9112, ext. 106.
To schedule a field trip or program, please use our Tour Request Form.
If you have difficulties with the form, please send your request with all information to kendall.clair@midwayvillage.com.
| Program* | Grade | Tour Length | Availability | No. of Students |
| General Museum Tour | 1st - 12th | 1.5 hrs. | All year | 80 max |
| General Village Tour | 1st - 12th | 1.5 hrs. | Seasonal | No min. or max. |
| Immigration Tour | 1st - 12th | 2 hrs. | All year | 10 min. |
| Old Stone School | 1st - 8th | 1 - 5 hrs. | Seasonal | 12 min. |
| Old Stone School | K - 8th | 1 - 5 hrs. | Seasonal | 12 min. |
| Living History Tour | 1st - 12th | 3 - 5 hrs. | Seasonal | 80 min. |
| Hands-on History Days | 3rd - 12th | All day | Seasonal | No min. or max. |
| History Talks | 1st - 12th | 45 - 60 mins. | All year | 30 max. |
| Traveling Trunks | 1st - 12th | 2 weeks | All year | No min. or max. |
* Museum and Village Tours can be combined or added to other, select programs. Tours are available in Spanish; contact Museum Educator at educator@midwayvillage.com to arrange.
Educational Tours
General Museum Tour
Interpreters dressed in turn-of-the-century attire guide students through hands-on exhibits examining Rockford’s history of immigration, industrialization, and culture.
General Village Tour
Historically dressed interpreters lead students through a tour of our Victorian Village, providing an immersive, first-hand look into home life, technology, and the pastimes of Illinois residents from 1890- 1910.
Immigration Tour
This interactive tour promotes critical thinking and historical analysis as students examine similarities and differences of Rockford over time. The focus includes the roots of intolerance, and how children can personally combat these influences in their personal lives.
Old Stone School
History comes alive as students experience life and learning in a turn-of-the-century one room schoolhouse. Options include leading your own class with recommended activities, or having our costumed school teacher use historic materials to teach the students as they spend a day in the past.
Living History Tour
Costumed interpreters bring all facets of Northern Illinois history to life in the Victorian Village, and engage students through a variety of hands-on activities, including early medicine, vintage printing presses, police and fire stations, a blacksmith shop, food preservation, square dancing, and more. Each tour consists of six or more activities, depending on the number of students and your available time. Contact staff for details.
Educational Standards
To view how Midway's programs meet state educational standards, download our 15-page Illinois State Standards overview in PDF format. To see how they meet National Social Studies Curriculum Standards 2, 3 & 4, download our 3-page Program Education Standards guide in PDF format. For more information, please contact Kendall Clair, our Museum Educator. You can reach her by email at kendall.clair@midwayvillage.com or by phone, (815) 397-9112, ext. 106.
