ROCHELLE – We’re still “Getting down to business in Rochelle.” As part of our ongoing project at the museum to present information about the business history of Rochelle – “Getting down to business in Rochelle” a reception for the new chapters – Chapter 2: 1869-1875 and Chapter 3: 1876-1880 – will be held on Sunday, Oct. 27 at 1 p.m. Information about the project and highlights from the current segments will be presented by Museum Director Jan Devore. This project has been supported with grants from the Rochelle Area Community Foundation to fund the professional work of OC Creative in DeKalb to add the audio component to the videos.

Fast forward to 2024 and the museum in partnership with the Downtown Rochelle Association is taking a “snapshot” of who is “Getting down to business in Rochelle” in 2024. The information and photos will become the next chapter in our business saga in Rochelle – Getting down to business in Rochelle in 2024. Areas on Illinois Routes 38 and 251 have not been canvassed at this time but there are plans to cover as much as possible before the end of the year. A “Snapshot” form that outlines the information the museum is collecting can be downloaded from the home page of the museum’s website, www.flaggtownshipmuseumrochelle.org. Any business owner who would like the information emailed can send a request to hubhistory@gmail.com. It is the goal of the Downtown Rochelle Association and the Flagg Township Museum to document the local business scene that is thriving today before it changes or is lost.

The mission of the Flagg Township Historical Society and Museum is to stimulate interest in Flagg Township history through education, research, collection and preservation of information for the benefit of the public of today and in the future.