Midway Village Museum

06/18/2026

Samuel D. Gaynor was the City of Rockford’s first Black police officer, receiving his badge in 1958. Interviewed by Director of Museum Operations Laura Furman in 2018, Gaynor told stories of facing racial discrimination when he sought to buy a house and secure a job after returning home from his stint in the Army.

Born in 1933 in Rockford, Gaynor attended West High School and North Carolina State Teachers' College before entering the Army. He was stationed in Washington, D.C., and upon his return, he said he couldn’t find a job in Rockford or Winnebago County as a teacher.

During one job interview, Gaynor said he was told, “We're not ready for black men, we've got women but not ready for black men.” His wife told Gaynor he better find a job, and saw an ad in the paper for job openings with the police department.

He passed the test, working his way up from a patrol officer to deputy chief of operations. Gaynor retired with that rank in 1993. He died Dec. 4, 2022.

Listen to his riveting story or read the transcript of the interview at tinyurl.com/h2798bm5.

Rockford Illinois Police Department Rockford Juneteenth Celebration

06/17/2026

An exciting new exhibit has opened at Midway Village Museum celebrating the rich history and stories of Rockford’s Black churches.

This permanent exhibit, “Growing in Faith: Rockford’s Early Black Churches,” covers the period from 1860-1930. Some residents may know that Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church was the first Black church in Rockford, formed in 1891, but don’t realize how many Black churches existed in those early days.

“I think the way Black history has been told for years in Rockford has been surface level. This is a way to look more closely and pull out those deeper stories,” Laura Furman, director of museum operations for Midway Village Museum, said of the exhibit.

Midway Village Museum is grateful for the generous grant from Emerson Charitable Trust, which makes this exhibit possible.

Plan a visit to discover more at midwayvillage.com/planning-a-visit.html.

Rockford Juneteenth Celebration Go Rockford

06/17/2026

Our thoughts are with Maybelle Blair as her broken ribs heal. The grand reopening of Beyer Stadium at Maybelle Blair Park has been rescheduled for Saturday, July 18. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Maybelle!

All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association Friends of Beyer Stadium International Women's Baseball Center

IMPORTANT UPDATE: We have a new date for the Grand Re-Opening of Beyer Stadium at Maybelle Blair Park! The celebration, originally scheduled for this Saturday, June 20, 2026, will now take place Saturday, July 18, 2026. Dr. Kat Williams, IWBC CEO, shared the following statement regarding the decision:

“Despite the fact that we think Maybelle is unbreakable she is not. She is recovering from four broken ribs. At the advice of her physicians, she will be unable to travel to Rockford for the June 20 ribbon cutting at Beyer Stadium.

It seems unconscionable to me that we would hold a grand re-opening of Beyer Stadium at Maybelle Park without Maybelle Blair! So after consultation with IWBC representatives and Blair’s team, we have decided to postpone the grand re-opening of the Park to July 18. We have no way of knowing what her situation will be in July of course, but this gives her a month to heal and quite frankly, a goal that I hope will encourage her.

This Park represents something Maybelle has spent a lifetime working toward — a place where girls can see that baseball belongs to them, too. I believe this moment is worth waiting for, and look forward to celebrating this milestone with her on July 18."

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We know many of you were looking forward to celebrating with us this weekend, and we hope you'll mark your calendars for July 18 instead. We can't wait to come together, honor Maybelle's incredible legacy, and celebrate this historic milestone with the community.

06/16/2026

Go on a safari this summer! Burpee Museum of Natural History experienced some escapes last night and the wildlife is roaming Rockford! Can you find them all? We'll give you a hint, one is inside Midway Village Museum...

06/15/2026

Have you heard about the Grand Re-Opening of Beyer Stadium at Maybelle Blair Park? It's set for Saturday, June 20, 2026.

Festivities begin at 1 p.m. and feature special guest speakers — including International Women's Baseball Center co-founder, women’s baseball pioneer, and sports trailblazer Maybelle Blair — an official ribbon-cutting, ceremonial first pitch, photo opportunities, food and beverages, and the first game ever played at the restored Stadium. This event cannot be missed!

International Women's Baseball Center Go Rockford

Join us for the Grand Re-Opening of Beyer Stadium at Maybelle Blair Park on Saturday, June 20, 2026. Festivities begin at 1 p.m. and feature special guest speakers — including IWBC co-founder, women’s baseball pioneer, and sports trailblazer Maybelle Blair — an official ribbon-cutting, ceremonial first pitch, photo opportunities, food and beverages, and the first game ever played at the restored Stadium.

06/14/2026

Did you know the Rockford Peaches once went to Havana, Cuba? It's true! Little info is known about the trip. If you know, we'd love to hear the story.

International Women's Baseball Center Stilettos on Steel, LLC Female Riders Group All American Girls Professional Baseball League Players Association

06/12/2026

Midway Village Museum's lovely, historic church is the ideal spot to celebrate the life of someone we love. Host a memorial or celebration of life service in a peaceful setting where you can gather together to remember a life well lived.

Visit midwayvillage.com/rental-inquiry-form.html to request more information. It would be an honor to help you through this time.

06/11/2026

Celebrate America's semiquincentennial at Midway Village Museum! This FREE event includes period games, patriotic crafts, an Uncle Babs photo area and so much more.

🇺🇸 250th Anniversary of Independence
📅 Saturday, July 4, 2026
⏰10 a.m.-2 p.m.
📍Midway Village and Museum Center, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford

From the enduring symbolism of the Liberty Bell and Liberty Tree to hands-on activities and educational displays, this special event offers a meaningful way to connect with America’s past while celebrating the freedoms we enjoy today.

Members of the Winnebago & Boone Counties Genealogical Society will provide an introduction to genealogy, and give blank family pedigree charts to visitors with details on how to start building your family tree. A list of beginner search websites will be provided.

Visitors will have the opportunity to trace their own family connections to the Revolutionary era with assistance from the Daughters of the American Revolution, who will help guests research patriotic ancestors and learn more about the people who contributed to America’s founding.

The Sons of the American Revolution will present a fascinating display of historic American flags spanning different eras, illustrating how the nation’s identity evolved through generations of service and sacrifice.

*Sponsored by the 250th Committee of Rockford and Winnebago County.*

Learn more at midwayvillage.com/semiquincentennial-at-midway.html.

Go Rockford City of Rockford Government Winnebago County Government Village of Rockton Cherry Valley Public Library Rockford Public Library