St. Charles History Museum

St. Charles History Museum The St. Charles History Museum mission is to Collect, Preserve, and Present St. Charles' History. The building served St.

Charles History Museum houses permanent and temporary exhibits, the Colonial Anderson Research Room, photo and research archives, a gift shop, administrative offices, and the collections storage facilities. The Museum is located in the 1928 McCornack Oil Company building at 215 East Main Street. Charles as a Texaco gas station from 1928-1990. As a 501(c)3 non-profit, the St Charles History Museum

is supported by the community. The Museum accepts donations and offers memberships on our website. Open Tuesday-Saturday
11am-4pm
Closed Sundays, Mondays, and Major Holidays

If you see this guy around town today, make sure you tell him Happy Birthday! We appreciate all that you do for the Muse...
06/01/2026

If you see this guy around town today, make sure you tell him Happy Birthday! We appreciate all that you do for the Museum!!

Check out our new St. Charles merch at the Curious Fox Gift Shop inside the St. Charles History Museum. We even have som...
05/27/2026

Check out our new St. Charles merch at the Curious Fox Gift Shop inside the St. Charles History Museum. We even have something for the smallest family members!

Thank you The Hairy Ant Inc. Screen Printing ! We love them!!

We love our partnership with Community Unit School District 303 as the students can come in and experience the museum fi...
05/26/2026

We love our partnership with Community Unit School District 303 as the students can come in and experience the museum firsthand to find fun in learning about St. Charles' history. We look forward to watching this partnership grow. Thank you to the 4th graders, their teachers, and volunteers of Davis Elementary School for stopping by today.
Have a wonderful and safe summer!

Thank you to all who have served. In rembrance of those who gave their lives for our freedoms. Honoring Memorial Day! 🇺🇸...
05/25/2026

Thank you to all who have served. In rembrance of those who gave their lives for our freedoms. Honoring Memorial Day! 🇺🇸

Now back in stock! The exciting reprint of the story of “Bet A Million” John W. Gates. And don’t miss Archie Bentz’s new...
05/22/2026

Now back in stock! The exciting reprint of the story of “Bet A Million” John W. Gates.

And don’t miss Archie Bentz’s new biography of Gates with tons of new information!

Past President Mary Lynn Campbell Swanson was recognized by Board President Brian McNally for her service as Board Membe...
05/22/2026

Past President Mary Lynn Campbell Swanson was recognized by Board President Brian McNally for her service as Board Member and President at the Museum.

Congratulations Mary Lynn!

How do we keep getting so lucky to find these wonderful leaders?

If you haven’t had a chance to see the exciting “unveiling” of the Judge Barry house at 3rd and Cedar Avenues, swing by ...
05/22/2026

If you haven’t had a chance to see the exciting “unveiling” of the Judge Barry house at 3rd and Cedar Avenues, swing by there when you can. The removal of the stucco coating has already revealed a stunning river stone house, and additional work will see this house revived as a private residence. And landmarked!

It won’t be long now until the home is back in use and the lights inside are warmly glowing!

(Photos courtesy of Amanda Miladinovich)

What a warm and windy, but beautiful day for our John W. Gates Bust Dedication this past Sunday. It was a well-attended ...
05/20/2026

What a warm and windy, but beautiful day for our John W. Gates Bust Dedication this past Sunday. It was a well-attended event, and we appreciate everyone who came out to the unveiling of the bust. We were pleased to see some of the Gates descendants and Bill McCornack for which the Museum building is named after, as well.

Some thank you's are in order to what made the day a huge success. Thank you for the support of the West Chicago Historical Society/Kruse House Museum and the J.F. Glidden Homestead. We appreciate the knowledge of Archie Bentz and Tom Anderson to keep the memory of John W. Gates alive for all that he contributed to and influenced in our beautiful town of St. Charles. A special thank you to Todd, Craig, and Miles Surta, & the whole ACS team for not only designing and making the pedestal on which the bust sits, but also the new Museum sign and the bases for the newly refurbished gas pumps donated by Tom and Cris Anderson and the art piece representing the Underground Railroad created by Russ Riendeau. We were able to enjoy the newly planted landscape by the Kane County Master Gardeners just in time for the event. And thanks to Bryan Wirball for St. Charles 4th Ward Alderman on behalf of the City of St. Charles, Illinois Government for reading the Proclamation of John W. Gates Day reserved on May 18th.

If you were unable to attend the event on Sunday, but would like a memento, a replica of the John W. Gates bust made by Archie's grandson, is available at the Museum. You can pick one up, as well as one (or both) of Archie's books Tuesday - Saturday 11 AM - 4 PM or Sunday 11 AM -3 PM.

Photo Credits to Keeping Moments Photography

Address

215 E Main Street
Saint Charles, IL
60174

Opening Hours

Tuesday 11am - 4pm
Wednesday 11am - 4pm
Thursday 11am - 4pm
Friday 11am - 4pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

Telephone

(630) 584-6967

Website

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