Batavia Depot Museum to temporarily close due to roof construction

The Batavia Depot Museum will be closed Thursday, Oct. 20, through Tuesday, Oct. 25, as workers remove the existing roof and construct a new one.

Because the museum's historical collection is stored onsite, protecting valuable archival materials, original photos and artifacts is a priority, said Kate Garrett, Depot Museum director. "Maintaining a sound structure is one component of our plan for caring for these artifacts for future generations," she said. "Periodic repairs and renovation help us prevent the possibility of more expensive disaster mitigation down the road."

The building dates back to 1854 when it served as a passenger depot on the East side of Batavia for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. It was decommissioned and put up for sale in 1963, Garrett noted. Concerned citizens donated funds to purchase the depot, and it was moved to its current spot in 1973.

The museum opened in 1975 as a cooperative effort of the Batavia Park District, which maintains the facility and staff, and the Batavia Historical Society, which owns the artifacts. Exhibits chronicle the history of rail transportation, windmill manufacturing, agriculture, banking, commerce and Mary Todd Lincoln's brief stay in Batavia at Bellevue Place. The Depot Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

For more information about the Batavia Depot Museum, visit https://bataviaparks.org.