Macktown Living History Education Center, Rockton

About Macktown Living History Education Center

Macktown Living History Education Center in Rockton presents hands-on learning about the cultures that occupied this site across thousands of years. Visitors explore the 1846 Whitman's Trading Post, the 1839 Stephen Mack residence, and the rebuilt Stevens shop, which housed the first schoolhouse in Winnebago County. Monthly Macktown Sundays feature reenactors and guest presenters demonstrating archaeology, Native American culture, gardening, farming, and fiber arts, with many activities open for visitor participation. The programs span from prehistoric times through 1850. Summer and fall programs for teenagers and adults include excavation, artifact recovery and processing, identifying finds, and interpreting their significance under professional archaeologists. The historic district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, contains remnants of Native American campsites dating back 8,000 years and pioneer households from the 1830s through 1851. The grounds remain open during regular forest preserve hours, while the buildings open for monthly events and group visits by appointment.