Batavia Depot Museum to host volunteer open house

Calling all history buffs, friendly faces, and folks who want to get more involved in their community.

Tour the Batavia Depot Museum and Research Center and learn about ways you can help meet its mission of collecting, preserving, and sharing local history.

The volunteer open house will be 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13, at the museum, 155 Houston St. in downtown Batavia.

The Batavia Depot Museum opened in 1975 as a cooperative effort between the Batavia Park District and the Batavia Historical Society. The Chicago Burlington and Quincy Railroad Depot was the first of its kind built in 1854 and is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. Exhibits detail the history of rail transportation, manufacture of windmills, agriculture, banking, commerce and a brief stay by Mary Todd Lincoln at Bellevue Place.

Features include: seven permanent exhibits about Batavia's beginnings and legacy; two rotating gallery spaces with seasonal exhibits; gift shop with apparel, decor, books and more; archives and library located in the Gustafson Research Center; and historic outbuildings (1907 Caboose, Coffin Bank & Gazebo).

The Batavia Depot Museum is closed for the winter, but will resume regular hours on March 1, 2024. Shopping, research, and tours are available by appointment; contact museum@bataviaparks.org or (630) 406-5274 for bookings.