Depot Museum

BATAVIA DEPOT MUSEUM & GUSTAFSON RESEARCH CENTER

155 Houston St. | 630-406-5274

Museum Hours:

Su 10:00A-4:00P M 2:00-4:00P Tu By appointment W 2:00-4:00P Th By appointment F 2:00-4:00P Sa 10:00A-4:00P

Research Center Hours:

Monday and Friday from 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.

Expanded Hours | June, July, August The sunlight lasts a little longer at this time of year, and so do the Museum’s hours. Beginning June 4, visitors will have nearly double the time to explore the Museum thanks to the addition of extra summer hours on weekends.

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 greatgrandpa 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.

Fall Exhibit

August – December 2022 City of Energy – The Forces that Built Batavia

From windmills to steam engines, dams to particle accelerators, Batavia’s history is filled with movement and the devices that people made to help make work easier for each generation. This new exhibit explores the natural forces that have built Batavia, from the work of our community’s early engineers and inventors, up through the contributions made by their modern-day counterparts. Take a look at how they utilized wind, water and steam power—all of the forces that were harnessed to build Batavia.

History Garden

May – September

We’re taking the Museum outdoors! This summer check out how our garden grows and learn to read the stories told by our landscape.

Batavia History Trolley Tour

All Ages Fridays, June 3; July 1; Aug. 5, 6:00P Sundays, June 12 & Aug. 14, 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. Weather dependent.

Private Trolley Tours

Looking for a tour on the trolley, but want to choose the day and time? Book a personal tour of Batavia’s history for you and up to twelve participants. Tours last 45-60 minutes, depending on traffic and are weather dependent. Call the Museum to schedule.

MUSEUM

Program Name Code Age Days Dates Time Location Fee Batavia History Trolley Tour 999029-R18 All Ages F 06/03 6:00-7:00 PM Batavia Depot Museum $15 Batavia History Trolley Tour 999029-R23 All Ages Su 06/12 1:30-2:30 PM Batavia Depot Museum $15 Batavia History Trolley Tour 999029-R26 All Ages F 07/01 6:00-7:00 PM Batavia Depot Museum $15 Batavia History Trolley Tour 999029-R28 All Ages F 08/05 6:00-7:00 PM Batavia Depot Museum $15 Batavia History Trolley Tour 999029-R29 All Ages Su 08/14 1:30-2:30 PM Batavia Depot Museum $15 Batavia History Trolley Tour 999029-R25 All Ages F 09/02 6:00-7:00 PM Batavia Depot Museum $15 Batavia History Trolley Tour 999029-R34 All Ages Su 09/11 1:30-2:30 PM Batavia Depot Museum $15

Check Out the Batavia Museum Gift Shop

Support your local museum with every purchase of Batavia apparel, housewares, toys, and collectibles 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.