Connect with us!
For current happenings at the Depot, please check out our events calendar and follow us on social media!
spring exhibit
the museum a community built: batavia depot museum celebrates 50 years
March 1 - July 20, 2025
All Ages
Free
Happy Birthday to the Batavia Depot Museum! Throwback with us to the groovy days of 8-tracks, corduroy and the Bee Gees with a new exhibit celebrating 50 years of Batavia's landmark home for history. Inspired by Walter Kauth's home video "The Museum a Community Built: October 10, 1973," this new exhibit shows the incredible impact a community can have when people work together. From the first conversations about the need for a local history museum, to cutting the ribbon on opening day, many Batavians had a hand in making the museum a reality. This exhibit will tell their stories through photographs, recollections, original video and even some tools used in the restoration of the old depot.
fall exhibits
uncovered: Quirks & Curiosities of the batavia historical society
July 26 - Nov. 23, 2025
All Ages
Free
This fascinating exhibition showcases the most intriguing and rarely-seen treasurers from the Batavia Historical Society's collection. Marvel at unique artifacts including a 19th-century hair wreath, military spy glass, vintage toys and mysterious medical implements. From pieces of the beloved Glenwood Park to unexpected curiosities, these objects reveal the lessor-know stories that shaped our community. Perfect for history enthusiasts and the curiously minded.
Unconditional love: batavia's best friends through history
July 26 - Aug. 24, 2025
Oct. 4-Nov.23, 2025
All Ages
Free
This heartwarming poster exhibit, sponsored by Batavia Fat Sam's for Pets, explores stories of beloved Batavia pets across generations - furry & feathered alike. Inspired by Peg Tyndall Jackson's short story "Sparky, The Fire Dog" published in children's magazine Jack & Jill, visitors can connect with pets of Batavia's past and share about their own cherished fur baby.
Exhibit sponsored by: 
care & custody: past responses to mental health
Aug. 25 - Oct. 3, 2025
All Ages
Free
Over the past 200 years, physicians, advocates and government agencies have all shaped mental health policies. These stakeholders have often taken different approaches and a tension has existed between care and custody as responses to people with mental health conditions. Learn about these responses and the ways in which people have struggled to create a more inclusive society.
Batavia Depot Museum is honored to host this traveling exhibit from the National Library of Medicine.
legacy STORIES
History Garden - Celebrating the horticultural history of Batavia, this outdoor garden landscape adds to the beautiful open space of our museum's campus on the Riverwalk. This is a wonderful exhibit to spot buzzing pollinators and learn about Batavia's gardening history from native plants to marketplace gardens.
Gunzenhauser-Smith Gazebo - Formerly located at 605 N. Batavia Ave., the Gunsenhauser-Smith Gazebo is an architectural feature donated to the Batavia Park District in 1989 by William Y. Tien.
1907 Caboose - The 1907 Chicago Burlington and Quincy Caboose has been outfitted to look as it did back when it was in service. Discover why cabooses were necessary to early trains and about the men who worked them!
Coffin Bank - William Coffin used this small shed in the backyard of his grand home for the very first bank in Batavia, opened 1856. Learn more about Batavia's banking history inside!
Batavia's Railroads - Batavia was the home to many railroads, and each has an important place in the civic and industrial life of the community. This exhibit chronicles the early railroads in Batavia and the Depot's early days.
Mary Todd Lincoln and Bellevue Place - After she was legally declared insane, Mary Todd Lincoln was sent to Bellevue Place in Batavia and put in the care of Dr. Richard Patterson. Here you can learn more about the sanitarium, Mary Todd Lincoln, and see the bed she slept in while being treated.
The VanNortwick Room - The VanNortwicks had a strong hand in shaping early Batavia into the town it is today. Take a glimpse into the family's life and discover their many contributions to settling Batavia and bringing prominent industries to town, such as the railroad and several windmill manufacturers.
Little Town in a Big Woods - Based on the synonymous book by Marilyn Robinson, this exhibit chronicles the early days of Batavia, focusing on settlement and industrial growth of the area.
museum programs
The Batavia Depot Museum offers a variety of programming for all ages throughout the year. We look forward to you taking part and learning more about Batavia history.
Programs & Special Events
Fall Exhibits Opening Reception - August 8
6-8 p.m. Free Event
Get your first look at the Batavia Depot Museum’s new fall exhibits: Uncovered and Unconditional Love. Join Museum staff and your neighbors for a fun night of new discoveries at the Batavia Depot Museum. Light refreshments and a cash bar provided.
Wayback Wheels Car Show - August 31
3-7 p.m. $15/vehicle or Free to look
History drives past us daily on our roads, so let’s celebrate it! Cruise on down to Batavia Main Street’s Block Party for a fun and relaxing evening in Batavia’s downtown, where you can see incredible vintage and modern cars, climb aboard the Park District’s open-air trolley, mingle with fellow car enthusiasts, and share the love of the road. While visiting, grab a ticket for the Block Party and enjoy local eats and live music!
Want to show your vehicle? Register at https://forms.gle/DiWMnMUCAktqLUau8
Day of Play - September 27
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free Event Thanks to the Association of Children’s Museums
Day of Play is back at the Batavia Depot Museum! The Museum is partnering with the Association of Children’s Museums to provide a FREE day to learn and play in the Batavia story. Pick up an activity book, play old fashioned games in the front yard, go on a local landmark hunt and more!
Celebration of Lights at the Batavia Depot Museum - November 30
5-8 p.m. Free Event
While enjoying the Park District’s Celebration of Lights, visit the Batavia Depot Museum’s new holiday exhibit: “Holiday Cheer.”5:45-6:30 p.m. Holiday Story Time with the Batavia Public Library. Stop in to hear a story or two and share the magic of the holidays with the Batavia Public Library during the Holiday Story Time at the Gustafson Research Center. Celebrity readers from the Batavia community entertain with their favorite festive tales, new and old.
Batavia History Trolley Tours
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 and are $25 per person. .
Next tour dates:
Friday, July 18
Sunday, August 10
Friday, September 5
Sunday, September 14
Friday, October 3 (Last Trolley Tour of the Season!)
Private Trolley Tours
Want to celebrate a special occasion this year? Private tours are available April to October depending on staff availability, and are the perfect way to experience Batavia with family and friends. Call Batavia Depot Museum staff at 630-406-5274 to schedule your private trolley tour, with the personal touch! Private trolley tours can take up to 12 participants and last 45-60 minutes depending on traffic and weather. Private trolley tours can take up to 12 participants and last 45-60 minutes depending on traffic and weather.
MYSTERIOUS BATAVIA TOUR
Who is Gopher Bird? Who struck oil in downtown Batavia? What happened to Mayor Snow? Learn answers to questions you never thought to ask at this entertaining and spicy walking tour of downtown Batavia. This tour’s content is rated PG-13. Tours last 45-60 minutes and are $12/person. Walks happen rain or shine, so please dress accordingly.
October 9
CEMETERY WALKS
Museum staff share stories from Batavia’s cemeteries on this respectful walk in the West Side Cemetery. Weather permitting, all ages welcome. Tours last 45-60 minutes and are $12/person.
October 16 & 25
PURCHASE TICKETS
school tours
the "gus"
The Gustafson Research Center (The 'Gus") houses an extensive archive of Batavia history, including over 10,000 photographs, family biographies, Batavia publications, and more. The public is invited to visit during museum's open hours, make an appointment outside these hours, or email research requests directly to museum@bataviaparks.org.
The Gus shares the museum's hours. Appointments are highly encouraged if you would like help with your research, or are new to The Gus. Research Assistants are usually available Mondays and Fridays from 2-4 p.m. Please call 630-406-5274 or email museum@bataviaparks.org to schedule an appointment.
There is no charge to use the facility.
What is available at The Gus?
Check out our most up-to-date inventory here
- Manufacturer's catalogs
- Personal letters and diaries
- Scrapbooks
- Local directories
- Previous research material and notes
- Yearbooks and school publications
- Fox Valley Mirror
- Maps
- Probate records
- Copies of books available in the Gift Shop
- Photographs
- Obituaries and genealogies
- Books by Batavia authors
- Other items available on a case-by-case basis. please call 630-406-5274 or email museum@bataviaparks.org to schedule an appointment
about the museum
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. Inside, the city's past comes alive through exhibits detailing the history of rail transportation, manufacture of windmills, agriculture, banking, commerce and a brief stay by Mary Todd Lincoln at Bellevue Place.
Saving the Depot in the early 1970s was an effort that involved all Batavians. Though contributions and generous matching funds from Furnas, $31,000 was raised to move the historic structure from its original location at the corner of Van Buren and Webster street to its current location on Houston Street, a total of 9 blocks, one hill, and one bridge! Moving day, October 11, 1973, was such an event, even school children were let out of class to see the Depot traveling to its new home. Over the years, the Depot has increased the number of exhibits and even space with the addition of the Gustafson Research Center in 2000.
OUR MISSION
OUR COLLECTION
