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. Far out, folks!! 💥Today’s Wayback Wednesday shows us some great examples of happenin’ fashion back in...
09/02/2026

Wayback Wednesday.

Far out, folks!! 💥

Today’s Wayback Wednesday shows us some great examples of happenin’ fashion back in 1970-71! Photographed is Mrs. Vaughn’s 5th grade class, decked out here in their best school attire at J.B. Nelson Elementary School.

What do you think? Do these fine threads belong back in classrooms today?

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Check out this photo and more at the Batavia Depot Museum today! We’re open Mon, Wed, Fri 2-4pm and Sat, Sun 10-5pm.

Wayback Wednesday. Sleighbells ring, are you listening? 🔔Today’s Wayback Wednesday looks due west up a wintery Wilson St...
08/26/2026

Wayback Wednesday. Sleighbells ring, are you listening? 🔔

Today’s Wayback Wednesday looks due west up a wintery Wilson Street hill. In the late 19th century when this image was taken, two major landmarks stand out. First, the iconic Newton House deadends the top of the hill before Wilson Street was extended onwards decades later. Second, the wooden bridge in the foreground used to take pedestrians over the Fox River that flowed below. Today this location is filled and paved over, making today’s Wilson Street Bridge the only one to now cross the Fox.

For how brisk this scene appears, this historian would gladly hop aboard those horse-drawn sleighs. Brrrr! 🥶

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For many more winter scenes, stop by and the Batavia Depot Museum’s wide collection today! We’re open Mon, Wed, Fri 2-4pm and Sat, Sun 10-5pm.

Grace McWayne School? Is that you?? [pause to clean glasses] 👓Today’s Wayback Wednesday features the old West Side Schoo...
08/19/2026

Grace McWayne School? Is that you?? [pause to clean glasses] 👓

Today’s Wayback Wednesday features the old West Side School, a staple for local education following the Civil War. This magnificent structure, complete with multiple ornamental chimneys and a mansard roof, was built as a primary school in 1867 as town residents observed the town’s growth and need for larger school facilities. It was located where Bethany Lutheran Church’s parking lot is today.

Despite the city’s approval of the project, the school didn’t come without the usual cast of critics. An 1878 history brooded over its apparent skyscraper appearance, referring to it as the town’s “imposing pile.” A few other taxpayers grumbled over how much space the halls and staircases took (what happened to getting your money’s worth?!). Some things never change - everyone has to weigh in on their two cents!

Visible in today’s picture is the 1898 addition during construction, meant to supplement the original four-story building with more space. Soon after from 1902-1915, the building would act as the high school before renaming it to the McWayne School, honoring principal Grace McWayne and her sister Ellen for their educational contributions to Batavia. In 1950, the building was razed in favor of better facilities, and two relocations later, Grace McWayne School has finally settled at its home near the Tanglewood neighborhood.

While its look has changed quite a bit over time, this ornate symbol of schooling stands as a memorable era in Grace McWayne’s history - the glasses weren’t smudged to begin with!

Read more here:
https://bataviahistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Historian-Vol-54.pdf
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For even more photos of the building’s features, stop by the Batavia Depot Museum’s collection today! We’re open Mon, Wed, Fri 2-4pm and Sat, Sun 10-5pm.

Today is the day! 🎉🎵🎼"In Harmony" is now open! Drop in during open hours to explore vintage band uniforms, antique inst...
08/15/2026

Today is the day! 🎉🎵🎼"In Harmony" is now open! Drop in during open hours to explore vintage band uniforms, antique instruments (even a 19th century pump organ!), photos and more from Batavia's musical past.

In Harmony, Batavia Depot Museum's newest temporary exhibit, is a joyful celebration of the musical groups that have brought Batavians together as performers, artists, and audiences.

Admission is free! The museum is open 2 p.m.- 4 p.m. M, W, F, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sa, Su.

Do you recognize these talented Batavia musicians? Their band name is one of our favorites in the records (ha!) of Batav...
08/14/2026

Do you recognize these talented Batavia musicians? Their band name is one of our favorites in the records (ha!) of Batavia musicians.

Learn more about the performing groups organized in churches, on football fields, and in friend's garages at "In Harmony," Batavia Depot Museum's newest temporary exhibit. The exhibit opens on August 15th, with a special evening reception on Thursday. August 20th from 6 to 8 p.m.

You can stop by the Museum to connect with your local history M, W, F 2-4 p.m. and Sa, Su 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free!

Opening this weekend, "In Harmony," brings the joy of making music to center stage at the Batavia Depot Museum. 🎵🎺🎶🥁🎵🎸Hi...
08/13/2026

Opening this weekend, "In Harmony," brings the joy of making music to center stage at the Batavia Depot Museum. 🎵🎺🎶🥁🎵🎸Historical instruments, vintage band uniforms, an 19th century pump organ, and more will be on display from August 15 through November 22nd.
Admission to the Batavia Depot Museum is free! Open M, W, F 2-4 p.m. and Sa, Su 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Opening this weekend, "In Harmony," brings the joy of making music together to center stage at the Batavia Depot Museum....
08/13/2026

Opening this weekend, "In Harmony," brings the joy of making music together to center stage at the Batavia Depot Museum. 🎵🎺🎶🥁🎵🎸Historical instruments, vintage band uniforms, an 19th century pump organ, and more will be on display from August 15 through November 22nd.

Admission to the Batavia Depot Museum is free! Open M, W, F 2-4 p.m. and Sa, Su 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Wayback Wednesday. It’s back to school again! ✏️Today’s Wayback Wednesday takes us back to the old Batavia Junior High, ...
08/12/2026

Wayback Wednesday. It’s back to school again! ✏️

Today’s Wayback Wednesday takes us back to the old Batavia Junior High, once Batavia High School before that. The original building was constructed as the High School in 1915, touting a class of only 38 (compare this to the Class of 2026, with 434 students!). For generations the brick building served as the final platform for Batavia Public Schools until the present high school on Main Street opened in fall 1966. That same fall, our building saw its rebirth as a junior high school, whose principle was none other than Sam Rotolo (sound familiar?)!

Today, the property that once held BJHS now supports the Batavia Public Library. The entrance, pictured above, stood near to the present Library’s west wall. The other photos included above are the gym, an upstairs classroom, and the main entrance/exit interior. While only pictured marginally on the last photo, students and staff alike may remember the original wood features of the building including benches, cabinets, cases, and staircase ledges.

While we may be going “against the grain,” we at the Depot wish these types of craftsmanship still had a home in buildings today!
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For even more photos of the building’s features, stop by the Batavia Depot Museum’s collection today! We’re open Mon, Wed, Fri 2-4pm and Sat, Sun 10-5pm.

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

Website

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