New Depot Museum exhibit celebrates accomplishments of Batavia women

Authors, a scientist, songwriter, federal prosecutor and war veterans are among the Batavia women featured in the Batavia Depot Museum's new exhibit, "Never Done: The Women Who Built Batavia." Get a first look at the exhibit's opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, March 3, at the museum, 155 Houston St. Admission is free.

"Never Done" recognizes the city's women who contributed their talents, whether it was as homemakers, volunteering for civic organizations or making strides in typically male-dominated professions of the time. "Half the stories of our history are about the lives of women and we're excited to share some of them with the public," said Batavia Depot Museum Director Kate Garett. "Women have been doing amazing things in Batavia, from the 1830s all the way to the present day."

The exhibit also highlights memberships in "secret societies" for women, the need for domestic labor, wartime contributions and professional careers of Batavia women. "It was enlightening to learn how many professional women lived in Batavia," Garrett said, "and how many women were involved in the economics of the city." Women held jobs such as store clerks, dressmakers and teachers.

Ellen Skirtmont Diffenbaugh, a 1934 Batavia High School graduate, trained in medical technology and worked on the team of the Manhattan Project, a 1940s U.S. government research project that produced the country's first nuclear weapons.

Women who were homemakers were equally important, Garrett noted, because they found time and resources to support the community. They helped to organize a community with their volunteer work with churches, charities and clubs.

Ruth Drover Burnham, who served in the armed forces during World War II, settled with her family in Batavia and was active in the community. She oversaw the restoration of the CB&Q Depot into the Batavia Depot Museum.

In researching the exhibit, Garrett noted it was sometimes difficult to find women listed under their own name after they married. Traditionally, women used their husband's names, such as Mrs. Ira Wilson, in official and social records. "When we discuss women in history, we often describe their roles in relation to notable men," Garrett noted, "overlooking their own labor, experiences and thoughts." The exhibit connects visitors to the experiences of women who helped shape the City of Batavia with their unique contributions.

The exhibit includes items these women used in the course of their daily lives such as dresses, hats, a washboard, office supplies, military gear, sporting goods and books. "All these items were touched by women trying to get things done," Garrett said. "Women weren't just passive witnesses; they were active participants in the growth of Batavia."

The lower level of the exhibit shows dresses worn by Batavia women in the late 1800s through the 1920s. "Not only are the gowns on display beautiful to look at, clothing is a powerful way to imagine yourself in another person's shoes," Garrett said. All the dresses in the exhibit were worn by Batavia women, including a hand-stitched black silk frock from the 1920s and a cream sequined sheath dress worn by Dr. Lucile Gustafson. Dr. Gustafson was one of the founding trustees of the Waubonsee Community College.

The exhibit runs through July 23. For more information, visit bataviaparks.org.