Friends of the West Chicago City Museum

06/02/2026

It's a Terrific Train Tuesday as final preparations are underway to welcome Big Boy to West Chicago! Be sure to check out the City's information page with all the parking and attraction information!

The City Museum and our CB&Q Depot will be open to welcome visitors and share our rich city's railroad history!

Big Boy No. 4014Tuesday, June 2 Big Boy Arrival: Approximately 5:45 p.m. Limited Parking & Shuttles Available to Wilson Ave. Bridge Viewing Area - No Public Access at Union Pacific Training Center Wednesday, June 3 Big Boy Display Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Location: Larry S. Provo Union Pacific....

05/25/2026

On this Memorial Day we especially remember all the West Chicagoan who gave their lives in service to our country, including Elmer Hayward.

During World War I, many fundraising efforts took place in town to support our local troops abroad. Raffle tickets were sold to win a Red Cross Quilt made by local women. As a result of the $100 raised from the quilt, 68 West Chicago soldiers received a Christmas bag of “goodies” from the Red Cross in 1918. Corporal Elmer Hayward was among that number, but he never received his bag or the Christmas box from his family.

On November 10, 1918, the day before the war ended, on a battleground in France, Elmer was wounded. He died 13 days later, and his personal effects were mailed back to his family. His sister Carrie wrote in her diary on April 28, 1919, “Got Xmas Box back we sent to Elmer, pretty well damaged up.”

That very Red Cross Quilt that was made to raise funds for WWI soldiers is now part of the West Chicago City Museum’s collection, and is pictured here as part of a 2023 exhibit.

05/25/2026

We can’t wait!

05/22/2026

Tell your friends, BIG BOY is here!... well he will be on June 2-4 on the West Chicago Union Pacific Railroad🚂. Make sure to keep an eye out for their arrival.

Don't forget to stop by the West Chicago City Museum and the CB&Q Depot to learn more about West Chicago's train history!🚂

05/18/2026

Happy International Museum Day! Thank you to the City of West Chicago Government for all their support! We are proud to preserve our community’s past while inspiring its future!

05/17/2026

We are so excited to have this project officially launched! More trains will be rolling in all summer and we are so excited to be working with our partners on this project! West Chicago Public Library District People Made Visible WeGo Together for Kids The West Chicago Parks Foundation 🙌🏽 🚂

05/16/2026

Stop by the City Museum and learn about www.wegofullsteamahead.org!

02/05/2026

We are so excited to see what artists come up with for this wonderful public art program celebrating our community's rich railroad history and cultural heritage! Please share widely with any artists you know!

Call For Art Apply Here CALL FOR ARTISTS WeGo Full Steam Ahead: A Public Art Celebration of West Chicago’s Railroad Legacy Deadline to Apply: March 1, 2026Artist Notification: March 9, 2026The WeGo Full Steam Ahead project team invites artists to apply to participate in a large-scale public art i....