Online Collections
Hundreds of digitized photographs, archive records, and objects are searchable through our online database, and more coming online all the time.
Explore the Collection
The Collection
The Batavia Depot Museum is home to the collection of the Batavia Historical Society, which preserves over 30,000 objects, photographs, and archives. These unique collections tell the story of Batavia history from the first people to the present day.
To improve access for researchers, educators, and local history enthusiasts, Museum staff have digitized the collection database and made many records available online. To view items not yet available online, we invite you to visit us in person. Find out more about visiting the Gustafson Research Center.
Still Growing
Cataloging is and always will be a work in progress. We continue to add and improve records as we process new acquisitions and as we learn more about the collection already in our care.
You may notice records with empty fields, typos, misidentifications, or language that we should explain further. We welcome your help in improving our database. You may contact us at museum@bataviaparks.org with your comments and we will work to investigate and correct any inaccuracies.
We hope you enjoy exploring Batavia history!
Getting Started with the Online Collection
New records are being added to the online collection all the time. You can look through all the online records together, or browse curated groups of records. To learn more about items that are not yet available online, visit the Gustafson Research Center in person.
Search
To search the online collection, use the search bar at the top of the page. Try searching for a name, a year, or a subject. This field works with free-text searching.
Groups
Sometimes you’re not sure what you’re looking for, exactly. Don’t worry! We’ve curated groups of records for fun and easy browsing. Groups like, “Downtown Scenes” are organized around popular topics. Learn more about artifacts from temporary museum exhibits in special groups made just for them.
Getting better search results
Free text search looks for keywords anywhere in the metadata of a record. Metadata is the information museum staff know or can infer about the object including things like a physical description, subject matter, related people or places, year created, etc.
If you search for the keyword <i>quarry</i>, for example, the collection database will show you every result with the word quarry anywhere in its metadata. You may find stonecutting tools from a limestone quarry, photographs of swimmers at Hall Quarry Beach, or something owned by the former owner of Hendrickson Stone Quarry.
To narrow down your search try adding terms. Looking for <i>quarry swim 1950</i> will return more specific results. The system reads spaces between terms as AND, a vertical line (|) as OR, and a minus (-) as NOT. Putting your search terms in quotes, e.g. <i>“Hall Quarry Beach,”</i> will return results with all those words exactly in sequence.
To broaden a search, add an asterisk to a term as a wild card. For example, <i>swim*</i> will return swim, swims, swimmer, swimming.
Digging Deeper
“What is metadata?” Metadata for the Batavia Depot Museum includes all the information about an object in the collection, including its object ID, a description, when and how it was acquired, who owned or used it, where and how it was made, and how it has been stored and taken care of by museum staff. Most metadata is publicly available, some is for internal use, and some is restricted.
Clicking on any entry in the online database will show you all the publicly available metadata. If you have questions about when a photograph was taken, or who owned an object, you’ll find that information in the metadata, if we know it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to create an account to use the online collection?
No! Our online database provides free searching for anyone with an internet connection.
Can I browse the online collection on my phone?
Yes! Our online database is compatible with your mobile devices. Look out for QR codes in the museum to dig deeper into the stories of specific objects on display
Can I download images?
Yes! You can download images from the collection by opening the image and clicking the download arrow at the top right of the screen. Downloaded images will have a watermark.
Email museum@bataviaparks.org to speak with staff about licensing watermark-free images, if they are available.
WARNING CONCERNING COPYRIGHT RESTRICTIONS: Users assume all responsibility for questions of copyright and invasion of privacy that may arise in copying and in the use made of the copy per Title 17, U.S. Code.
My search had no results. Does that mean the Museum doesn’t have anything relevant to my search?
Maybe? Our collection reflects the interests and resources of former donors, so some topics are not yet well represented. However, there may be undigitized materials worth exploring with the help of museum staff.
Don’t be afraid to email us at museum@bataviaparks.org for assistance.
Do you really have all these things? Can I see them at the Museum?
Less than 1% of the collection is on display at any time. The rest is stored for preservation, study, and temporary display. Museum staff can arrange private viewings of objects with at least 4 weeks notice.
Email museum@bataviaparks.org for more information.
Do you take donations?
We are actively collecting objects related to the history of Batavia, Illinois. If you have an object you think we should add to the collection, please reach out to us at museum@bataviaparks.org to speak with the Curator.
PLEASE NOTE: We cannot accept donations dropped off without an appointment. They are considered abandoned property and will be thrown away. We don’t want to see that happen to your treasures!
I found incorrect information in the online catalog!
We’d like the chance to fix that! As we work to bring the entire collection online, we regret that you may find errors in transcription, misidentifications and missing metadata. We believe in the power of community to improve our understanding of Batavia history.
Please send us an email at museum@bataviaparks.org with the details of the error, including the relevant object ID and we will review the correction.
I have a similar object to one I found in your online catalog. Can the museum provide an appraisal?
No. It is against museum policy to provide appraisals or valuation services. We encourage you to speak with a professional appraiser from either the ASA or the Appraisers Association.
Are all the objects in your collection rare and valuable?
No. The collection includes all kinds of objects that help us understand Batavia history, from the very commonplace to the one-of-a-kind. To us, they are priceless, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they have a high monetary value.
I am a teacher/student and would like to use an image in a presentation. Is that ok?
Yes. Image use is free for educational purposes. Please use the credit line, “Batavia Historical Society,” so your audience knows where to look for the original.
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Upcoming Programming
Check out what else is going on at the Batavia Depot Museum. Museum staff offer seasonal tours and programs to deepen your connection to local history. Stay tuned for information about temporary exhibits with objects pulled from the collection.
Contact Us
Fill out the form or use the contact information below for more information.