There’s so much to do in our region! Here’s a look at upcoming lectures and educational enrichment.
June
Savage Ancient Seas!
Through Sept. 7. Explore the world of the Cretaceous period, filled with huge sea turtles, flying reptiles and flesh-eating fish. Burpee Museum of Natural History, 737 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 965-3433, burpee.org.
Historic Auto Attractions
Through Sept. 7, Tue.-Sat. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. See more than 75 historic autos, including the world’s largest collection of world leaders’ limousines and movie cars such as the Batmobile. $13/$8 students/$25 season pass. 13825 Metric Road, Roscoe, Ill., (815) 389-7917, historicautoattractions.com.
Laurent House Tours
Through Sept. 20, first and third full weekends of each month, Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. See Frank Lloyd Wright’s “little gem in Rockford.” Tours begin at the top of the hour, with last tour leaving at 3 p.m. $15. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 877-2952, laurenthouse.com.
Janesville Walking Tours
Through Oct., Sat. 9 a.m. Sixty-minute tours of Janesville’s neighborhoods and downtown. Starting points vary. Rock County Historical Society, 426 N. Jackson St., Janesville. Info: Nathan Fuller, (608) 756-4509 ext. 304, rchs.us.
Banwarth Home Tour
June 6, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Enjoy a guided tour of the Banwarth family home and experience what everyday life was like during America’s centennial year. $5. 408 E. Sycamore St., Elizabeth, Ill., (815) 858-2014, banwarthmuseum.com.
Animal Adventures
June 10, 1-4 p.m. Help to feed and care for animals; explore specimens from the museum’s biology collection; learn about animals in the Permanent Collection. Ages 9 and up. Registration and pre-payment req. $24/$18 members. Burpee Museum, Rockford, (815) 965-3433, burpee.org.
Swinging for the Arts Golf Open
June 12, 12:30 p.m. A benefit for The Next Picture Show. Timber Creek Golf Club, 729 Timber Creek Road, Dixon, Ill., (815) 288-5110, thenextpictureshow.com.
22nd Annual Historic Cemetery Walk
June 13-14, 2-4 p.m. Guided walking tour where costumed re-enactors bring to life some of Galena’s interesting residents. Indoor performance at Grace Episcopal Church in Galena on June 20, 8 p.m. $15. Galena-Jo Daviess Historical Society, (815) 777-9129, galenahistory.org.
A Walk in the Wild Side
June 17-18, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Take a natural history walk through Black Hawk State Historic Site. Learn about native Illinois animals and how Native Americans used plants. 1510 46th Ave., Rock Island, (309) 788-0177, blackhawkpark.org.
Mornings at the Museum
June 18-22, 9 a.m.-noon. Camp for kids interested in nature. Hands-on activities, stories, games and take-home projects. Ages 4-6. Registration and pre-payment req. $18/$15 members. Burpee Museum, Rockford, (815) 965-3433, burpee.org.
A Horticulture Perspective at Anderson Japanese Gardens
June 18, 5:30 & 6:45 p.m. Guided tour showcasing plants and light, soil and space requirements. $5 non-members/free for members. Anderson Japanese Gardens, 318 Spring Creek Road, Rockford, (815) 316-3307, andersongardens.org.
Crayfish Dissection
June 18, 7 p.m. Dissect something you’d normally eat and learn about what makes an arthropod unique. $18/$12 members. Midwest Museum of Natural History, 425 W. State St., Sycamore, (815) 895-9777, mmnh.org.
Swedish Midsommer Festivities
June 20, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Celebrate Rockford’s Swedish heritage and learn maypole dances. Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.
Rockin’ for the Reptiles
June 27, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Food tents, games, crafts, live music and live reptiles. Proceeds support museum’s live animal collection. $6. Midwest Museum of Natural History, Sycamore, (815) 895-9777, mmnh.org.
Hands-On Victorian Crafts
June 28, noon-4 p.m. Meet costumed re-enactors in the Victorian Village and complete 1800s-era craft projects. $8/$5 ages 3-17. Midway Village Museum, Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.
July
Young Rembrandts
July 3, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Learn about and improve drawing skills and art techniques while expressing creativity in a positive environment. Register for 7-week session. Ages 7-14. Anderson Japanese Gardens, Rockford, (815) 316-3307, andersongardens.org.
All About Arthropods
July 9, 3:30-4:30 p.m. Students will interact with three live arthropods and see what can be found in the museum’s garden. Ages 7 and up. Midwest Museum of Natural History, Sycamore, (815) 895-9777, mmnh.org.
Family Friday Journey to Mars
July 17, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Become part of the engineering team that designs the wheels for a Mars Rover. Sample astronaut food, attend planetarium show, view NASA presentation, more. $8/free for members. Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford, (815) 963-6769, discoverycentermuseum.org.
German Printmaking
July 18, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Create your own work of art using linoleum carving techniques and a Civil War-era press. Explore how German ancestors settled in Rockford. Midway Village Museum, Rockford, (815) 397-9112, midwayvillage.com.