DuPage County Historical Museum notes

For details, call (630) 682-7343 or visit the Web site at www.co.dupage.il.us/museum.

The DuPage County Illinois Historical Museum, 102 E. Wesley St., Wheaton, is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission for adults is $3; children, students and seniors over 65 are $2; children under 4 are admitted free. Individual and family memberships are available.

Model railroad in action: The DuPage County Historical Museum is in crisis and may close due to budget cuts. To help save the museum, TrainFest will be held at the museum from noon to 4 p.m. with the trains running from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 29 and Jan. 19. The HO-gauge train layout at the museum is one of the largest in the country, covering more than 2,000 feet and depicts the Chicago and Northwestern, Burlington Northern and the Chicago, Aurora and Elgin railroads as well as artifacts, stories and a panel exhibit.

Arts & Craft Fair: The DuPage County Historical Museum Association is holding a fair offering items by recognized artists and artisans from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 21 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 22 at the museum. Items include handmade beeswax candles, soaps, jewelry and decorative tableware. Admission is free on those dates.

Saturday specials:Gingerbread houses will be created by all ages from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Dec. 22.

Fund:ŒThe DuPage County Historical Museum Association Fund has been established with an endowment from the late Jerry Bradshaw, former president of the Gary-Wheaton Bank, with the DuPage Community Foundation. For details, call (630) 665-5556.

Artifactology:ŒThe exhibit, Artifactology: Stories Uncovered, offers the stories behind some of the museum's most interesting artifacts. The stories include a doll that appeared five decades later, a playful cat, a prolific poet, a misunderstood washing machine and possibly Pancho Villa's hat.

Quilts:ŒAn exhibit of quilts from the 1800s and 1900s is ongoing at the museum. The exhibit will feature a selection of quilts spanning more than 150 years and the variety of materials and techniques used to create these items, including cotton, silk and wool.

A Walk in the Woods: The exhibit of the history of wood in DuPage County will include a view of the wooded landscape and different ways wood has been put to use.

Made to Measure: Measurement surrounds us in everyday life, whether at home, school, work, leisure or play. We measure all kinds of things in relation to standards, including ourselves. Come see how your world and you "measure up." An exhibit for all ages in Inside History.

Changes in DuPage: "DuPage County History and Overview 1830 to the Present" covers the settlement of DuPage County through the present. Visitors will learn about the richness of life in DuPage County; enjoy a mini documentary, "The Changing Face of DuPage" and listen to a soldier's Civil War experiences.

Sitting room: In the exhibit "Family Sitting Room of the Late 1890s," visitors of all ages can try one of the "I Spy" games, solve a history mystery with "Be A Sitting Room Detective," or just relax in the comfort of the window seat.