From the mid-1860’s, Rockford has been an industrial powerhouse. Rockford started early with lumber mills and farm implement manufacturing, evolved by the turn of the century into a center for furniture and hosiery making, and then became a recognized world leader in machine tools and fastener manufacturing. Rockford’s latest evolutionary step is aerospace with two of the area’s largest employers sourcing equipment for virtually every aircraft type flying today.
Our visit will start on Thursday at the Midway Village Museum complex where you’ll have an opportunity to explore a Victorian-era village, become acquainted with the history of the local area, and hear about Rockford’s industrial heritage. Friday and Saturday feature different tours intended to showcase both the breadth and depth of Rockford’s industrial past and present. Our stay will conclude with a Sunday brunch at the Coronado Performing Arts Center, a fully restored, atmospheric-style 1926 movie palace.
We hope you will join us for this exciting visit to Illinois’ second largest city and a gemstone of America’s industrial heritage.
Tour update as of Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Please note the following changes:
Friday Tour F1 (North to Beloit) – The walking tour of the Barber-Colman Complex has moved from F1 to F2, and the process tour of Eclipse Combustion has moved from F2 to F1 (this reduces transit time and focuses F2 on the historic water power district). The line up is now Fairbanks-Morse, Taylor Freezer, Tinker Swiss Cottage, Eclipse Combustion and Specialty Screw.
REQUIREMENTS for F1: Country of citizenship must be listed in advance. No cameras and no cellphones at some stops.
Friday Tour F2 (Rockford Core) -- The walking tour of the Barber-Colman Complex has moved from F1 to F2, and the process tour of Eclipse Combustion has moved from F2 to F1 (this reduces transit time and focuses F2 on the historic water power district). The stop at Fairbanks-Morse was eliminated to avoid duplication with F1, and to fit in two additional process tours at Greenlee Tool and Rocknel Fastener. The line up is now Cellusuede, Barber-Colman, MegaFab, Tinker Swiss Cottage, Greenlee Tool and Rocknel Fastener.
REQUIREMENTS for F2: Hard hats, flashlights and steel-toe shoes are recommended (not absolutely required, but access to some places may be restricted without them). No cameras, no cellphones and no exposed jewelry at some stops.
Friday Tour F3 – Eliminated
Saturday Tour S1/S2 (North & East): The morning at Hendricks Holdings in Beloit was expanded to include more process tours, and the stop at Lowe’s Regional Distribution Center was eliminated to make room. The line up is Hendricks Holdings in the morning and Illinois Railway Museum in the afternoon.
REQUIREMENTS for S1/S2: Only the usual rules of the road (long pants, sturdy shoes, etc.)
Saturday Tour S3 (West): The line up remains Bourn & Koch, Lowe’s Regional Distribution Center, Silver Creek Museum, Garnhart Oliver Tractor Museum.
REQUIREMENTS for S3: No cameras and no cellphones at some stops.
For more information contact Ron Petrie at siaevents@siahq.org.
