ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — A new $50,000 grant to the Ethnic Heritage Museum is part of a broader effort to revitalize Rockford’s South Main Street corridor.
The funding will be used to fund restoration work on the campus, which houses the historic limestone Graham-Ginestra house, at 1129 S Main. The barn, carriage house, and stables will undergo renovations to include additional exhibit space and space for public events.
The project will be the latest of several slated to rehabilitate one of the city’s oldest thoroughfares, which connects U.S. Bypass 20, to the south, with downtown.
Fifth Ward Alderwoman Gabrielle Torina said, “Obviously Barber Colman [the Colman Yards project ], that’s the first one; the Water Power Lofts , which is at 700 South Main. You’re seeing the expansion today of the Essex Heritage Museum, the South Main Mercato . First year [attendance for the Mercado] was about 500 people. The second year, 5000. That’s quite a big jump. So that alone has to tell you that a mindset is changing about coming to Southwest Rockford.”