Board Priority: Residents and visitors are involved in diverse and well-supported recreational activity.
 
Culture helps people understand their neighbors, their history, and their environment.
 
Arts and culture build pride in a community.
 
Arts and culture enhance life satisfaction levels.
 
The role of the Rockford Park District and the Museums:
The Rockford Park District is very proud of its extended family of museums. These fine institutions are of substantial benefit to our citizens as they promote the cultural, educational, and recreational well-being of our community. The museums play an enormous role in the quality of life we enjoy in our community, as well as the educational and historical significance they provide in delivering programs and displaying exhibits.
 
The State of Illinois has recognized the unique and highly beneficial role of museums in a community and authorized the levy of the Park District Museum Fund Tax in 1893. This state tax levy was a great assistance to the City of Chicago in preparing to host the World's Fair in 1921, and it helped to create and sustain such outstanding public institutions as the Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, and Shedd Aquarium.
 
The Rockford Park District owns the land and all the buildings and structures of the museums (with the exception of the Burpee Museum's Solem Wing). The ownership of this land and buildings is a public trust for the benefit and use of the citizens of the District and patrons of the museums. The museums own the tangible personal property consisting of exhibits, furniture, furnishings, records, equipment, and display cases. Each museum is governed by volunteer boards and has their own paid staff, along with many hundreds of devoted volunteers.
 
The museum tax collected by the Rockford Park District only partially supports the operations and capital improvements of the museums; the vast majority of their operating funds and improvements are paid for through private donations, fundraising events, admissions, grants, and gifts.
 
Because of the tax levy, each museum is required by state law to be open to the local residents one day a week free of charge, or to provide some services to local residents free of charge.
 
The Rockford Park District museums welcome you, and invite your family to become members and regular visitors!