Did you know that in addition to having a great collection of artifacts that tell the story of Rockford's past, the RAM also has a collection of documents, photos, and publications that would be the envy of many larger museums?
These include local newspapers dating back to the 1870's as both hard copies and on microfilm.
Our Burch Research Room has photos, documents, school pictures, publications, and much more to support our
research staff led by Pat Frye, our Research Director. Help with research is available on an appointment basis.
For more information, send a message on the "Contact" page of this website.
There is more to the RAM than you might imagine.
The Rockford Area Museum is proud to present a schedule of revolving exhibits in the South Exhibit Room
UNTIL LATE APRIL, SEE THE STORY THE STORY OF ROCKFORD
AS TOLD IN POSTCARDS FROM THE RAM ARCHIVES AND THE PRIVATE COLLECTION OF TERRY KONKLE, PRESIDENT OF THE ROCKFORD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
THIS WILL BE FOLLOWED BY AN EXHIBIT ABOUT VOTING
AND THE WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT WHICH
WILL BE IN PLACE THROUGH JULY
SUSAN B. ANTHONY DELIVERED A SPEECH IN
DOWNTOWN ROCKFORD AS PART OF HER
NATIONAL TOUR PROMOTING WOMEN'S VOTING RIGHTS.
Watch this space for information about future exhibits as plans are finalized.
See the
Sjogren statue and the Sjogren exhibit inside
1976 - 2013 2013 - PRESENT
Powerhouse built in 1903 Courthouse built in 1976
STOP
DO YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IN THE ROCKFORD AREA HAVE AN INTERESTING COLLECTION?
IF SO, LET US KNOW.
WE WOULD LOVE TO
SHOW IT OFF FOR YOU.
THE COLLECTION COULD BE OF ITEMS FROM OLD LOCAL HOMES, CHURCHES, AND BUSINESSES, OR OF TOYS, DOLLS, FIGURINES, TOOLS, SCHOOL LUNCH BOXES, FISHING LURES, ETC. FROM AROUND THE NATION, LIGHTHOUSES FROM AROUND MICHIGAN, OR ALMOST ANYTHING ELSE OF INTEREST.
OUR GUESTS LOVE TO SEE COLLECTIONS OF LOCAL RESIDENTS. ITEMS CAN BE DONATED TO THE MUSEUM OR LOANED FOR SHORT TERM EXHIBITS. CONTACT AL PRATT, MUSEUM DIRECTOR
Vintage Rockford Class Pictures Now On Display
One of the newest exhibits in the RAM is the display of Rockford Graduation Class pictures
dating back to 1922. They have all been framed and are hanging in the RAM's rear hallway
for everyone to see. Here is the picture of the 1946 class as an example. Over the years, the
Rockford Area Historical Society did a terrific job of collecting these valuable photos, but
they were all in different frames or were not framed at all. They were stored but were not
easily accessed for viewing. New frames and an area dedicated to their display changes that.
We hope you will have a chance to stop by to see what familiar names and faces you may find
in this exhibit.
THE NEW RAM WAS NOT PRIMARILY FUNDED BY HUGE
CORPORATE GIFTS OR GOVERNMENT FUNDS. YOUR RAM
IS THE RESULT OF A GOOD OLD FASHIONED GRASS ROOTS
EFFORT BY THE PEOPLE IN THE GREATER ROCKFORD AREA
WHO KNEW THAT OUR RICH HERITAGE WAS WORTH
SAVING FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
Many call this "THE ROCKFORD WAY" because the people of this
great community always seem to come through when a genuine need
is recognized.
You can be confident that the new RAM will continue to work to
increase its service to the community - our way of saying THANK YOU
to the People from the entire Rockford area who made this all possible.
IF YOU HAVEN'T VISITED THE NEW RAM YET, PLEASE PLAN
TO DO SO SOON. WE THINK YOU WILL BE SURPRISED AND
PROUD OF WHAT YOUR COMMUNITY HAS ACCOMPLISHED.
616 866-2235