Depot Museum

BATAVIA DEPOT MUSEUM & GUSTAFSON RESEARCH CENTER

155 Houston St. | 630-406-5274

Museum Hours:

Open daily 2:00-4:00P, but closed Tuesdays and Thursdays

Research Center Hours:

Monday, Friday 2:00–4:00P, or by appointment

Find us on:

@BataviaDepotMuseum @bataviadepot @bataviahistory The Batavia Depot Museum, a cooperative effort between the Batavia Park District and the Batavia Historical Society, houses the rich history of the city’s past. The museum is in a restored Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroad station, which was built in 1854 and recognized in 1979 for its uniqueness by the National Register of Historic Places. There are two floors of exhibits on local and state history to explore, as well as a 1907 caboose!

The Gustafson Research Center, in the lower level of the Depot Museum, houses our archives. Researchers have access to Kane County Census records, Tri-City directories, cemetery records, obituary indexes, local church records, probate and court records, historical books, photograph files, local business catalogs and more.

For additional information on the history of Batavia and the Historical Society’s collections, visit the Batavia Historical Society web page at

www.bataviahistoricalsociety.org.

Spring/Summer Exhibits

March – July 2022 Refraction: Finding Identity

Have you ever struggled to decide if the child in the beautiful dress in your old family photographs actually is great-grandpa or his sister? Do you know which First Lady cemented the idea of pink for girls and blue for boys? Learn more about the changing norms of identity and celebrate the stories of Batavians who have created their own path throughout our history.

Inspiring Expression

Batavians of all skill levels from the prehistoric period to the present day have used visual art to express themselves and their view of the world. “Inspiring Expression” celebrates our community’s creativity and showcases the Museum’s deep collection of rarely seen visual artworks created and treasured by Batavia residents.

Preservation Week

April 11-16 Celebrate and explore the sights and spaces that make Batavia unique!

All week long, stay tuned to the social media channels of the Batavia Depot Museum and our Preservation Week partners: the Batavia Historical Society, the Batavia Public Library, Batavia MainStreet, and the Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley. You’ll find hidden histories, local trivia, and pop-up experiences all week long.

Cheers Through the Years

Ages 21+ Friday, April 15, 7:00–9:00P $10

Grab your friends for a history-flavored night of 21+ fun in downtown Batavia. Check in at the Depot Museum between 7:00 and 8:00 pm to pick up your wristband and map. Then head out to meet the barkeeps who tend some of Batavia’s best old properties still in use and sample specials designed just for the occasion.

(sub)urban Adventure Tour

All Ages Saturday, April 16, 9:00A-5:00P $20 for day-long trolley pass

Calling all (sub)urban explorers! Have you ever been curious about the unseen areas of Batavia’s century-old buildings? Get a taste of urban exploring during a day of investigating places not usually seen by the public. Navigate between locations on the trolley, or pick up a map at the Batavia Depot Museum and find your own way.

All participants will follow the Urban Explorer code of ethics and take nothing but pictures, leaving nothing but footprints.

Hands-On Your History: House Hunting

All Ages Saturday, April 16, 12:00-4:00P Batavia Public Library Donations accepted

If your walls could talk, what stories would they tell? Research experts at the Batavia Public Library will be on call from noon to 4 pm to guide you and help you get your historic house research off the ground.

Hands-On Your History: Artifact Petting Zoo

All Ages Saturday, April 16, 12:00-4:00P Batavia Depot Museum Donations accepted

Don’t touch? Don’t worry! These artifacts are OK to play with. Learn about why some things at the Museum are touchable and some things aren’t, and how to take care of your own special treasures.

Batavia History Trolley Tour

All Ages Friday, May 6, 6:00P Sunday, May 15, 1:30P $15

Take a ride on the Park District’s historic, open-air trolley for a guided tour of Batavia’s history. Tours last 45-60 minutes, depending on traffic.

Mamie Eisenhower: The Hostess in Chief

All Ages Sunday, May 15, 3:00-4:00P $10

When Mamie Eisenhower—with her reputation as the ideal homemaker, Army wife, mother, and grandmother—wore a delicate, spangled-pink gown to her husband, Ike’s, Inaugural Ball, it inspired homemakers everywhere and christened Mamie Pink as the height of domestic femininity. During this one-hour engaging portrayal, you can visit with Mamie, sample her favorite fudge recipe, and learn about her life. Find out what it was like living in Panama and the Philippines between the world wars and about her loving relationship with Ike, which weathered horrible rumors and long separations. And oh! Those bangs!

MUSEUM

Program Name

Code Age Days Dates Time Location Fee

Batavia History Trolley Tour 999029-R20 All Ages F 05/06 6:00-7:00P Batavia Depot Museum $13 Batavia History Trolley Tour 999029-R21 All Ages Su 05/15 1:30-2:30P Batavia Depot Museum $13 Cheers Through the Years 999029-R30 Ages 21+ F 04/15 7:00-9:00P Batavia Depot Museum $10 (sub)urban Adventure Tour 999029-R31 All Ages Sa 04/16 9:00-5:00P Batavia Depot Museum $20

Mamie Eisenhower: The Hostess in Chief 999029-R10 All Ages Su 05/15 3:00-4:00P The Lodge $10

Check Out the Batavia Museum Gift Shop

Support your local museum with every purchase of Batavia apparel, housewares, toys, and collectables at the Batavia Depot Museum Gift Shop. We have a number of new items for sale! Stop in to shop at the Museum during open hours, or buy online and schedule a pick up at your convenience.