Midway Village Museum is partnering with the popular online Facebook blog "Rockford Made It" for a community forum featuring the history of Woodward, Inc, and the Emerson Manufacturing Company. The program will include:

. Fun facts about how Rockford-area history enthusiasts Gary Patton and Ryan Paulson started the popular Facebook page "Rockford Made It."

. A look at the history of agriculture in Northern Illinois as it relates to the Emerson Manufacturing Company.

. Discussion on the early history of Amos Woodward and his journey from North Carolina's Thompson Agricultural Company to growing his own Rockford-based company Woodward, Inc.

. Viewing artifacts from the museum's Collections Department related to Woodward, Inc. and Emerson Manufacturing Company.

. As a program finale, viewing of the exhibit artifacts of Woodward, Inc., and the Emerson Manufacturing Company with an opportunity to go inside the Woodward Millhouse adjacent to the Main Museum Center.

Also, as part of the forum, a show and tell on Rockford's pop culture about the iconic Geri's Restaurant. Bring your own stories to share!

Cost

$5 Per Person

$3 Museum Member

REGISTER IN-ADVANCE

Online at https://tinyurl.com/rockfordmadeitjanuaryforum

In-person

At the Museum Gift Shop

You may also pay for your admission upon arrival to the forum on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Visitors must follow COVID-19 protocols in place at the time of this program. Visitors must wear masks inside any buildings on the museum campus regardless of vaccination status.

Featured Above Photos:

From Our Digital Photo Collection

Photo Right: Woodward, Inc. executives view machines representing electrical generating water wheel governors used by Rockford Electric Company in the 1920s and manufactured by Woodward, Inc.

Photo Left: This 19th-century clapboard commercial structure was where A.W. Woodward Company operated in the Water Power District on Mill Street.