Burpee Museum Visitor Information

Visitor Information
Burpee Museum of Natural History 737 North Main Street Rockford, IL 61103 Phone: 815.965.3433 Email: info@burpee.org Fax: 815.965.2703	Welcome! Burpee Museum is a natural history museum specializing in paleontology, geology, biology, and Native American life. We have three floors of exhibits. For more information, please select from the following options:
	Planning your visit: Hours & Admission Driving Directions & Parking Food Gift Shop Accessibility Local Resources: What's Nearby?	Beyond basic Burpee: Museum History Volunteers and Interns Employment Birthday Parties Rental Space Scout Opportunities Burpee Goes Green! Staff & Board Members Press Room Links of Interest
	*Please note: our lower level is now open* with easy access via our new passenger elevator.**
Hours & Admission Museum Admission Adults: $6 resident, $7 non resident • Children (ages 3–17): $5 resident, $6 non resident • Members: Free! Group rate (for groups of 15 or more): $4/person Wednesdays are free days, no admission charge! * Resident rates are defined as one who either resides or personally owns real estate within the Rockford Park District. Museum Hours Monday–Friday: 10 am–4 pm Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm Sunday: 12 noon–5 pm Burpee Museum is closed all day on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, and Thanksgiving Day.
Food Visit Burpee's vending lounge for a quick snack or drink. Nicknamed "Leroy's Lounge" in memory of our long time resident terrapin—the most visited turtle in Rockford—the lounge has vending machines, tables, and a microwave oven for visitors. While in the lounge, view the pictorial history of the Museum and the 140-year-old+ bread ovens of the Manny Mansion that were uncovered during construction of the Solem Wing. Leroy is there too, holding still at last, watching over her lounge.
Accessibility Burpee Museum has three floors of accessible exhibits. Visitors using wheelchairs or strollers may be dropped off at the Main Entrance, with free handicapped parking nearby. Wheelchairs are available free of charge; ask at the front desk inside the lobby.
Museum History Burpee Museum of Natural History was begin as a Works Progress Administration project. The WPA was set up by the federal government to help create jobs during the depression of the '30's. The Museum was established in 1941 and opened to the public on May 24, 1942. The current complex is made up of three buildings—the Solem Wing, the Manny Mansion, and the Barnes Mansion. Solem Wing The Solem Wing is the portion of Burpee Museum open to the public. Completed in December of 1998, the Solem Wing houses the Museum's exhibits, meeting rooms, laboratories, gift shop, and the Mahlburg Auditorium. It is named after Robert H. Solem—benefactor, patron, and friend of the Museum. Manny Mansion Built in 1852, the Manny Mansion was owned by John P. Manny. Formerly an art museum, it is now attached to the south side of the Solem Wing and houses Museum classrooms and offices. The Manny Mansion is one of the finest examples of Italianate architecture in the city of Rockford. Barnes Mansion Originally Burpee Museum was housed entirely in the Barnes Mansion—the classic Victorian home to the north of the Solem Wing. The Barnes Mansion was built by industrialist William Fletcher Barnes in 1893 and is noted for its classic Victorian exterior and ornate carved cherry wood interior. Today, the Barnes Mansion houses administrative offices and meeting rooms.
Rental Space and Meetings Burpee Museum is a unique place to host your next party, lecture, or meeting! We have rooms that can accommodate up to 100 people. Or for those big events you can rent out the entire Museum! Burpee can make your event anything but ordinary. To make arrangements or for more information, call Holly Ni at 815.965.3433 x1000