Jocelyn McLaughlin, president of the Ethnic Heritage Museum, talks Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, about restoration plans to a historic barn and carriage house at the Graham-Ginestra House in south Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)
    By Kevin Haas
    Rock River Current
    Get our mobile app

    ROCKFORD — A barn, stable and carriage house built more than 165 years ago will be stabilized and restored so it can become a more integral part of the Heritage Museum Park campus on the city’s southwest side.

    The barn was built in 1857 alongside the Graham-Ginestra House, 1115 S. Main St., a two-story limestone blend of Greek Revival and Italianate architecture that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. But the outbuilding, which is used for storage, is now slanted on its foundation. Museum officials want to activate it with an exhibit and community meeting space once the property can be stabilized.

    “We can see that it’s starting to tilt a little bit,” said Jocelyn McLaughlin, president of the Ethnic Heritage Museum, which owns the Graham-Ginestra House, its next door neighbor. “This improvement and restoration will continue to make this ever-evolving campus more inclusive and allow for more programming to take place within our complex.”

    The first phase of the work, a $50,000 project to stabilize the foundation, is being paid for through Rebuild Illinois capital funds.

    The dollars are part of $1.64 million in funds designated by state Sen. Steve Stadelman going to 28 nonprofits for projects ranging from roof replacements and parking lot resurfacing to lighting upgrades and heating and cooling work.

    “We are fortunate to have a diverse nonprofit network in our community,” Stadelman said. “But brick and mortar work is challenging to finance for businesses and families, especially in the post-pandemic era, and our nonprofits are no different.”

    John and Pat Jepsen talk with state Sen. Steve Stadelman on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024, about plans to stabilize a historic barn and carriage house at Heritage Museum Park in south Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

    Stadelman and Heritage Museum Park leaders gathered Wednesday in front of the barn to announce the expansion and restoration plans and give a glimpse of the other grants awarded.

    Heritage Museum Park anticipates work starting next month to restore the historic Graham-Ginestra House barn, carriage house and stables.

    Some of the other recipients of state funds are $200,000 to the Friends of the Coronado for its ongoing preservation and maintenance efforts, $100,000 to the YMCA of Rock River Valley for playground improvements and $150,000 to Zion Development to remodel its Strong Neighborhood House in Machesney Park.

    The United Way of Rock River Valley served as the fiscal agent for the grants to help expedite the process of getting funding in nonprofits’ hands.

    “Capital support is critical, especially post-COVID, and it is encouraging to see these funds come to very deserving organizations in Winnebago County,” said Julie Bosma, president and CEO of the local United Way chapter.

    Other recipients

    United Way administered two grant packages: Nearly $975,000 went to Barbara Olson Center for Hope, Boys & Girls Club of Rockford, Ethnic Heritage Museum, International Women’s Baseball Center, Ken Rock Community Center, Lifescape Community Services, North Suburban Library District, Midway Village and Museum Center, Muslim Community Center, Northern Illinois Hospice, Northwest Community Center, Patriots Gateway, Remedies Renewing Lives, Rockford Public Library, Roy Gayle Pony Baseball, SWIFTT, Tinker Swiss Cottage, YWCA Northwestern Illinois and Zion Development.

    The second portion was for about $675,000 and is headed to the African-American Resource Center, Anderson Japanese Gardens, Belvidere YMCA, Burpee Museum of Natural History, Discovery Center Museum, Friends of the Coronado, YWCA of the Rock River Valley and Zion Development.


    This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas

    Tags: , , ,