Batavia Depot Museum

Batavia Depot Museum Bridging History and Heart
open M, W, F 2-4 & Sa, Su 10-5
local history, human stories

Permanent exhibits include railroad history, windmill industry, early settlers, Mary Todd Lincoln at Bellevue Place, and interactive exhibits in a 1907 CB&Q caboose. We are located next to the Fox River Bike Trail and the Batavia Riverwalk - plan to spend the day!

Wayback Wednesday. Winter snow scene of the south east corner of Union at Jefferson. Photo taken by moonlight at 9:40 pm...
01/22/2025

Wayback Wednesday. Winter snow scene of the south east corner of Union at Jefferson. Photo taken by moonlight at 9:40 pm by R. V. Hamm of the Chicago Tribune on January 18th, 1940. Temperature recorded at -15 degrees.

Wayback Wednesday. The Batavia Depot Museum is celebrating 50 years of public history in 2025! Here's a throwback to the...
01/15/2025

Wayback Wednesday. The Batavia Depot Museum is celebrating 50 years of public history in 2025! Here's a throwback to the very first day the museum was open to the public in 1975. Now that Newton wagon is safe and sound inside.

Today's   is the cover of The Saturday Evening Post Magazine issue from January 11, 1958, featuring Batavia's most famou...
01/10/2025

Today's is the cover of The Saturday Evening Post Magazine issue from January 11, 1958, featuring Batavia's most famous painting "Fox River Ice Skating" by John Falter. Can you believe this iconic Batavia scene debuted across the country nearly 67 years ago?!

John Falter was a renowned illustrator, best known for his works that graced the covers of 129 issues of The Saturday Evening Post. Falter also illustrated for other magazines, books, and advertisements throughout his career. A Nebraska native, Falter found himself in the Fox Valley visiting his sister in the winter of 1957 and admiring the time-old tradition of Batavians skating on the pond. Each December during our Holiday exhibit, you can see the iconic original painting, inspired by that visit, on display at the Batavia Depot Museum courtesy of the Batavia Woman's Club.

Hopefully we'll get some skating on the pond this year to keep the tradition going! Don't forget to check the flags by the pond.

Wayback Wednesday. Skaters on the pond, circa 1937. We're crossing our fingers for enough cold weather to raise that gre...
01/08/2025

Wayback Wednesday. Skaters on the pond, circa 1937. We're crossing our fingers for enough cold weather to raise that green flag over the pond so Batavia can get out on the ice! β„οΈβ›ΈπŸ’šSkating on the mill pond, now known as Depot Pond (you're welcome), is a time honored Batavia tradition. ❄️

New year, new  ! Today we are sharing a vintage postcard wishing the recipient a Happy New Year. Originally mailed on De...
01/03/2025

New year, new ! Today we are sharing a vintage postcard wishing the recipient a Happy New Year. Originally mailed on December 31, 1910, this colorful card with gold detailing was addressed to Mrs. H. A. Price from her mother.

The handwritten note on the back reads, "My wish for you and Herbert is a bright and Happy New Year." 115 years later, we are passing along the same message to our followers, may you all have a bright and Happy New Year!

Wayback Wednesday: Happy New Year from the Batavia Depot Museum! Did you know 2025 is the 50th anniversary of the Batavi...
01/01/2025

Wayback Wednesday: Happy New Year from the Batavia Depot Museum! Did you know 2025 is the 50th anniversary of the Batavia Depot Museum?! We have a lot in store for you this year, including our charming anniversary exhibit "The Museum a Community Built."

To start off the year of celebration, this is a photo from the early days of the museum in the 1980s. The lower level of the museum used to serve as the warming house for those skating on the pond and was later built out for more exhibit space and the addition of the Gustafson Research Center. Don't forget to look for the flag along Houston St. to see if the pond is safe for skating.

Today's   is a hand-painted glass slide advertising the Batavia National Bank's Christmas Club. Christmas Clubs were a p...
12/27/2024

Today's is a hand-painted glass slide advertising the Batavia National Bank's Christmas Club. Christmas Clubs were a popular program to help patrons save money for the holidays.

Each month, you put in a small amount that builds interest. At the end of the year, the account holder would receive a check with the accumulated amount that could pay for holiday shopping or other expenses. Does anyone remember having a Christmas Club account in Batavia?

Happy Holidays and Happy Wayback Wednesday! This photo shows East Wilson St. around 1910-1920. In the background on the ...
12/25/2024

Happy Holidays and Happy Wayback Wednesday! This photo shows East Wilson St. around 1910-1920. In the background on the left, you can see the Thomle Building and the CA&E Station that took many commuter Batavians into Chicago. Today, these buildings are the home to local businesses, like Pretty Pages and the Healing Arts Metaphysical Center. Can you imagine Batavia with wooden sidewalks and these light posts today?

This   we are sharing a bit of holiday cheer from the Batavia School collection! This is the cover of the December 23, 1...
12/20/2024

This we are sharing a bit of holiday cheer from the Batavia School collection! This is the cover of the December 23, 1910 issue of the "Batavia School and Home Bulletin." This bulletin was published semi-monthly by the East & West Side Schools in Batavia to keep parents and students informed with the happenings at the local district and education trends as a whole. This cover was hand-painted with a festive design.

This edition includes many student authored articles about the Holiday season. Authors, ranged from fourth to high school seniors, wrote about diverse traditions around the world. One student, N. Johnson, even wrote their article entirely in Swedish, called "Julen i Sverige" or "Christmas in Sweden."

We wish you all happy and festive holidays this season!

Wayback Wednesday. Wilson Street looking west from the east bridge, around 1960. Batavia Body Company building at right,...
12/18/2024

Wayback Wednesday. Wilson Street looking west from the east bridge, around 1960. Batavia Body Company building at right, Van Nortwick Block at left, former Batavia High School in the distance. Some businesses are recognizable by their signs, including a Perna Shoes (which sold Florsheim's brand), the First National Bank, a drug store and Slogget's Insurace. The Christmas trees on the city lightpoles are a clue that the photo was taken during the holiday season.

Did you know tomorrow (Dec 7) is National Letter Writing Day? So today, our   is a special letter that was recently dona...
12/06/2024

Did you know tomorrow (Dec 7) is National Letter Writing Day? So today, our is a special letter that was recently donated to our collection by Betsy Hart!

Betsy's parents, Betty & Bill Skogland, were dear friends of famous Batavia miniaturist Elaine Cannon. Inspired by Elaine and other miniaturists in IL, Betty & Bill created their own lovely miniaturist pieces. Letters like this document the supportive relationships between Batavians. Who would you write your letter to?

The letter reads:
"Dear Betty and Bill: The basket of fruit was wonderful - thank you so much. The wreaths are delightful - do tell me about them - don't forget. They are such delightful materials. Must have been hard to make - I can't tell. You are always so good to us - thanks again - love you - Elaine"

Come see a couple of Betty Skogland's wreaths mentioned in the letter and Elaine Cannon's holiday pieces on display for our "Hometown Holidays" exhibit now until December 15! Open hours are M, W, F 2-4 pm & Sat, Sun 10 am-5 pm. We hope to see you soon.

Celebration of Lights is coming! Visit https://bataviaparks.org/special-events for a full schedule, but don't forget to ...
11/30/2024

Celebration of Lights is coming! Visit https://bataviaparks.org/special-events for a full schedule, but don't forget to stop by the Batavia Depot Museum to see the newest exhibit: Hometown Holidays. πŸŽ„ This exhibit features handcrafted holiday decorations by miniaturist Elaine Cannon, toys and games, and the iconic "Fox River Ice Skating" painting that put Batavia on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post. Pop in to warm up fingers and hearts with a festive holiday story during the Batavia Public Library's Story Time from 5:45 to 6:30. See you soon!

The Batavia Depot Museum will be closed the week of November 25th for exhibit installation. Stop by during Celebration o...
11/23/2024

The Batavia Depot Museum will be closed the week of November 25th for exhibit installation. Stop by during Celebration of Lights to check the new exhibit out! (Dec. 1, 5-7PM)

Regular hours resume Sat, Nov 30th. See you then!

Today's   is a whimsical drawing of the Gammon House by Ed Morgan Jr in 1987. The building was built in 1885 for Rev. El...
11/22/2024

Today's is a whimsical drawing of the Gammon House by Ed Morgan Jr in 1987. The building was built in 1885 for Rev. Elijah H. Gammon. He was a Methodist minister turned manufacturer. In 1887, Gammon and Don Carlos Newton funded the construction of the Batavia United Methodist Church on Batavia Avenue.

The house was designed by famous Chicago architect John Mills Van Osdel. Van Osdel was most known for the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in Chicago and the Chicago City Hall. In the book "Batavia Places and the People Who Called Them Home" by Marilyn Robinson, she recounts how the Gammon House was made in the Queen Anne style only 11 years after the first Queen Anne home was built in the US.

Today, the house is still a part of the community at 9 S Batavia Avenue and home to Bee Attitudes Antiques & Collectibles

Don't miss the chance to see charming Batavia landscapes like this in the "Batavia through the Artist's Brush" exhibit, closing this Sunday (11/24). We'll be open 10am-5pm both Saturday and Sunday this weekend, so bring the whole family for a fun and artistic visit.

🎨 Don't miss your chance to see artworks from the collection of the Batavia Historical Society on exhibit now at the Bat...
11/21/2024

🎨 Don't miss your chance to see artworks from the collection of the Batavia Historical Society on exhibit now at the Batavia Depot Museum. Batavia Through the Artist's Brush will be on exhibit until this Sunday, November 24th. Take a stroll through scenes of Batavia's yesteryear at the Museum this weekend, before the exhibit closes.

Wayback Wednesday. The intersection of Wilson and Prairie has come a long way since 1924! This picture shows the Daniel ...
11/20/2024

Wayback Wednesday. The intersection of Wilson and Prairie has come a long way since 1924! This picture shows the Daniel F. Zwilling Automotive Supply, Coal, and Oil yard at the southwest corner of the intersection. Dirt streets were trafficked by trains, and horsedrawn wagons, but also by trucks and cars. In the background at the left you can just make out the CB&Q depot.

It's a beautiful Fall  ! Today we are featuring John Gustafson's painting of the Fabyan Windmill, painted in 1950. Can y...
11/01/2024

It's a beautiful Fall ! Today we are featuring John Gustafson's painting of the Fabyan Windmill, painted in 1950. Can you believe Gustafson captured this scene 74 years ago?! Batavia's trees continue to mesmerize us with the vibrant colors as they change for the season.

Come check out more paintings like this in "Batavia through the Artist's Brush" exhibit on view now through November 24. Stop in M,W,F 2-4pm & Sat, Sun 10am-5pm to see charming Batavia scenes and learn some local history. We are a free admission museum and hope to welcome you will a cozy hug of color on your next visit! Forest Preserve District of Kane County Batavia Park District

Wayback Wednesday. Looking for last-minute Halloween inspiration? πŸŽƒ Why not dress as your favorite store like Mary Kenyo...
10/30/2024

Wayback Wednesday. Looking for last-minute Halloween inspiration? πŸŽƒ Why not dress as your favorite store like Mary Kenyon, Irene Wood, and these other unidentified young women? According to Eldora Hoover, in 1892 downtown stores coordinated a "fancy dress" event with young women in costumes to represent the stores. Mary wore tooth brushes, cotton balls, and perfume bottles to represent the Dempster Drug Store. Irene wore feathers, flowers, and lace for Ostrander's Millinery. An unknown young woman representing Burton's General Store wore pie tins, fly swatters, and a mousetrap. The young woman representing Arnold Clothier wore menswear- a shirt, tie, and bowler hat. There's even a very cheerful young lady dressed as a paper bag from the Western Paper Bag Company. Eldora commented, "old people have told me it was the noisiest day Batavia ever knew."

Address

155 Houston Street
Batavia, IL
60510

Opening Hours

Monday 2pm - 4pm
Wednesday 2pm - 4pm
Friday 2pm - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 2pm - 5pm

Telephone

(630) 406-5274

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