Part museum, part venue, Veterans Memorial Hall connects past to present

By Lynne Conner For Chronicle Media
The artifacts of Army Air Corps Staff Sgt. Charles Ollman, Jr., a Rockford native who was killed in action during WW II (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

The artifacts of Army Air Corps Staff Sgt. Charles Ollman, Jr., a Rockford native who was killed in action during WW II (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

The squeaky doors, creaking floors and worn smooth wooden stairs of Veterans Memorial Hall in Rockford, all stand as a testament to the countless servicemen and women who have fought for our country.

These fixtures tell the stories of Civil War soldiers, MIA World War II servicemen and Vietnam era POWs.

Part museum, part events venue, Veterans Memorial Hall (VMH) was dedicated in 1903 by then President Theodore Roosevelt at the request of the Civil War veterans of Winnebago County.

The dedication marked the first time a sitting president visited Rockford.

Scott Lewandowski, director of VMH picks up the story, “Veterans Memorial Hall has the distinction of being the first memorial hall built with public money. So, we have been owned by Winnebago County since 1903 … . It actually took a lawmaker going down to Springfield and getting law changed to allow public funds to be used to construct this building,” he said. Lewandowski noted that there are only three memorial halls in the state and that the one in Rockford is “by far the grandest and the best”.

The diary of Charles Ollman, Jr. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

The diary of Charles Ollman, Jr. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

Rockford’s Veterans Memorial Hall stands to commemorate servicemen and women from the 1860s to present day veterans.

“It was built to honor the veterans of Winnebago County. It wasn’t built to honor the wars, but to honor the veterans. At that time, there were the Civil War veterans and then the Spanish-American War veterans. That war had just ended and they were returning to Rockford,” Lewandowski said.

He shares an interesting fact about Veterans Memorial Hall.

“Veterans Day started out as Armistice Day, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, marking the end of World War I in 1918,” Lewandowski said. “The interesting thing about that 11-11 date is, in 1903 when the Spanish-American War vets came back to Rockford; that was the day they came back, 11-11. They had a dinner every year, a reunion, and they had it in this building.”

The Veterans Day dinner is still held every year, although at a larger venue than VMH.

Through the years, Veterans Memorial Hall has hosted monthly meetings of different veterans’ groups with part of the groups’ dues going into the upkeep of VMH. After falling into disrepair during the 1960s and 1970s, a plan to renovate Veterans Memorial Hall came about in the late 1980s.

winn-110916-veterans-memorial-hall-photo-3“A group committed to restoring VMH discovered that there was money available for renovations. Rockford used to be home to Camp Grant, a large internment camp during World War I and II, which is now is the Chicago-Rockford International Airport. When that land was sold, some money was put into an account to help in the upkeep of this building. In 1989, when it was discovered that this money was available, a $2 million renovation took place at Veterans Memorial Hall,” Lewandowski said.

Some of the renovations to VMH have included: making the facility handicapped accessible, refinishing the floors, adding an elevator and a revamp of the auditorium. More recent upgrades done in 2012 have focused on temperature controls, heating and air conditioning and converting the lighting to LED. Lewandowski notes that the lighting upgrades were funded through a grant by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

In addition to meeting space for veterans’ groups, VMH is part museum and part events venue. The main floor of Veterans Memorial Hall features themed galleries of veterans’ artifacts from as far back as the Civil War. A post room or library contains Civil War exhibits and the other galleries showcase items on a rotating basis. Lewandowski said that family members often donate the personal effects of a deceased veteran as a way to honor their relative.

Japanese flag signed by members of squad from WW II Japan. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

Japanese flag signed by members of squad from WW II Japan. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

A worn leather bomber jacket, old photos and the yellowed diary of Rockford native, Charles Ollman, Jr. give a first-hand account of a fighter pilot’s life during World War II. Ollman served as a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Air Corps and was tragically killed in the line of duty on March 3, 1945 when his plane collided with another.

“In doing some research on Charles Ollman … we discovered that the plane’s wreckage had fallen on a family farm in France. A family member who lives on the farm became interested in the story of serviceman (Ollman) who was killed in the crash. The Frenchman did research into Ollman’s story and shot a reenactment video,” Lewandowski said. “So now we have a better story of what happened when Ollman died. That’s what we’re here for, to tell the story of veterans.

“Another lady brought in a photo of a Spanish-American War veteran … and just in looking up his name and doing some research, we discovered that he was in the building and part of the Span-Am Post 5. So, there’s a connection that spans 113 years and the building is still here.”

Veterans Memorial Hall also hosts events throughout the year and can be rented out for wedding receptions, parties and gatherings. VMH is an active participant in downtown tourism events like Stroll on State, a lunch and learn series and events for Boy and Girl Scouts. The facility has hosted events for Black History Month including a lecture and reception for the Tuskegee Airmen and the Montford Point Marines.

Some items from Rockford resident Maj. Gen. John L. Borling that he used during his time as a POW in Vietnam. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

Some items from Rockford resident Maj. Gen. John L. Borling that he used during his time as a POW in Vietnam. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

Another unique event held at Veterans Memorial Hall is the paranormal tours.

“We’ve worked with Haunted Rockford to host tours and investigations. We have had paranormal investigators spend the night in the building and try to capture some ‘activity,’ which they have. Mediums and other investigators have said that the building is very active,” Lewandowski said. “There is also a paranormal conference held here where they have a whole day of speakers. On our Facebook page, we have a link to a group that did an investigation and produced a wonderful video of their findings.”

The fact that a building erected 113 years ago is still relevant in the 21st century stands a testament to the veterans of Winnebago County, their families and the community as a whole. Lewandowski sees a balance between the museum part and the venue part of Veterans Memorial Hall as crucial in this mutually beneficial relationship.

Maj. Gen John L. Borling's POW bracelet worn by a civilian during his captivity. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

Maj. Gen John L. Borling’s POW bracelet worn by a civilian during his captivity. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

“Veterans Memorial Hall was always intended to store and display the relics of the veterans,” he said; adding that there are more than 10,000 veteran artifacts housed at the facility. “The venue side of VMH benefits the veterans just by bringing awareness to the community. It’s important to acknowledge the past sacrifices that our veterans have made and to know their stories. A knowledge of our veterans’ history helps foster a connection with the past, bringing these events alive for ours and future generations.”

 

 

 

 

The names of major Civil War battles highlights the walls of the main floor at VMH. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

The names of major Civil War battles highlights the walls of the main floor at VMH. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The names of major Civil War battles highlights the walls of the main floor at VMH.  (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

The names of major Civil War battles highlights the walls of the main floor at VMH. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

A survival gear kit from WW II. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

A survival gear kit from WW II. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

A survival gear kit from WW II. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

A survival gear kit from WW II. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

Workers construct a new place in front of VMH for the Civil War statue that formerly stood at the corner of N. Main and Auburn streets in Rockford. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

Workers construct a new place in front of VMH for the Civil War statue that formerly stood at the corner of N. Main and Auburn streets in Rockford. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

 

An artist's rendering of what the new front entrance of VMH will look like. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

An artist’s rendering of what the new front entrance of VMH will look like. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

Scott Lewandowski stands with a drum used by Spanish-American War veterans when they marched in parades. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

Scott Lewandowski stands with a drum used by Spanish-American War veterans when they marched in parades. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

Original seats in the Auditorium of VMH. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

Original seats in the Auditorium of VMH. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

Original storage cabinets adjacent to the auditorium at VMH. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

Original storage cabinets adjacent to the auditorium at VMH. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

A poster commemorating the Montford Point Marines and the Tuskegee Airmen at VMH. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

A poster commemorating the Montford Point Marines and the Tuskegee Airmen at VMH. (Photo by Lynne Conner/for Chronicle Media)

— Part museum, part venue, Veterans Memorial Hall connects past to present —