Midway Village Museum will have its new exhibit on the early history of Rockford complete with a series of hands-on activities open during December and January, at the museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford.  The activities represent winter immigrant traditions and the way of life for Illinoisans during the winter months during the early 1900s.  The program series entitled, Winter in the Prairie State, includes special program presentations each week in December and January, and incorporates the winter theme.  The presentations are one hour and start at 1:00 p.m. each Tuesday and Saturday, beginning December 9 through January 17.  Admission is $6 adults; $4 child (3-17); Museum Members are free.  The programs are open to all ages.

The program schedule is as follows:
  Tuesday, December 9 and Saturday, December 13:  A look at early winter celebrations by area immigrants and the changes in these early traditions.  Visitors will create a handmade immigrant ornament to take home.

  Tuesday, December 16 and Saturday, December 20:  Visitors will discover how weather at the turn-of-the century compares to weather today.  Visitors will have the opportunity to make a simple almanac that includes weather and animal lore.

  Tuesday, December 23 and Saturday, December 30:  Visitors will learn about winter sports and games played by the immigrants to Rockford and what games are popular today.  Those willing can play Victorian parlor games, the card game of Whist or the table-top billiard game of Caroms.

  Tuesday, January 2:  Visitors will discover how weather at the turn-of-the century compares to weather today.  Visitors will have the opportunity to make a simple almanac that includes weather and animal lore.

  Tuesday, January 3:  Visitors will learn about winter sports and games played by the immigrants to Rockford and what games are popular today.  Those willing can play Victorian parlor games, the card game of Whist or the table-top billiard game of Caroms.

  Tuesday, December 16 and Saturday, December 20:  Visitors will discover how weather at the turn-of-the century compares to weather today.  Visitors will have the opportunity to make a simple almanac that includes weather and animal lore.

  Tuesday, January 6 and Saturday, January 10:  Visitors will learn about the variety of animals on the winter prairie.  Details on how to identify and track animals in the snow or mud, how early settlers interacted with animals is also a part of the program.  Visitors will act out various walking patterns of animals and draw a picture to go with their animal description.

  Tuesday, January 13 and Saturday, January 17:  In anticipation of the 2009 Inauguration, a program related to the American flag and the history of the Pledge of Allegiance will finish the Winter in the Prairie State program series.  Visitors will walk away with a better understanding of the roles these American symbols play to citizens.  Other Winter in the Prairie State activities open each day at the Museum Center are:

• The Museum Center galleries will have hands-on activities including a Christmas tree with decorations representing the immigrants who came to Rockford, the opportunity to create an origami animal, and areas to play Victorian era games.

• Learning stations throughout the Museum Center to learn about winter immigrant traditions

• A sharing wall for visitors to leave a personalize message about their family or ethnic traditions

  A Doll’s Tea Party will feature period-dressed Interpreters highlighting stories related to at least eight dolls and finish with a tea party celebration from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, January 11, at the Chamberlain Hotel in the museum’s historical village.   Visitors should bring their favorite teacup and saucer to talk about and girls are encouraged to bring a favorite doll.  Tea and cookies will be served.  Advanced registration is required for this special presentation.   The cost is $10 per person.

  Midway Village Museum is located a ¼ mile from Perryville and Guilford Roads, Rockford, Illinois, just one mile west of the I-90 State Street exit.  Parking is free.  For details, contact 815-397-9112 or visit the museum web site at www.midwayvillage.com.