Telling the stories that make history come alive

Union Depot Railroad Museum

Union Depot Railroad Museum

The restored portion of the 1888 Union Depot provides a perfect setting for a memorable, lifelike HO train layout of Mendota in the 1930s and railroad memorabilia.

Explore
Hume-Carnegi Museum

Hume-Carnegie Museum

A completely restored 1904 Carnegie Library provides the perfect setting for a display of Mendota's past. Experience a photographic collection cover 150 years of area history.

Experience
Breaking the Prairie Museum

Breaking the Prairie Museum

The glass walls of this replica barn provide year-round open viewing of rotating displays, such as antique tools used to break the Illinois prairie and other early farm equipment.

Discover

Looking for a Director for our Area Museums.

25 hours a week with some flexibility in scheduling. Should have good organizational and communication skills. Willing to learn PastPerfect software. Require a "people person" whom will be a team player.  Send resume or letter to inai1rbw@msn.com (no phone calls please).

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Vistit Us From Anywhere!

We now have 360° interactive tours available of some of our museums. Stay tuned for more features to be added!

Interactive Tours
Museum Interactive Tours

Mendota Museum & Historical Society

The vision of the Mendota Museum & Historical Society is to offer our buildins, collections, displays and events, highlighting Mendota's rich past history of people, industry, railroading, agriculture, commerce and culture, to the public, our community, current and future generations, for the purpose of education, innovation and enjoyment.

Meet Our Board

Parties & Rentals

Looking for a unique place to hold your special event? The Golden Trencher Car at Union Depot can be rented for birthdays, tea parties, and social gatherings. The Country Chapel is a perfect spot to rent for weddings, vow renewals, confirmations, and special church services! Contact us today for more information about renting one of these spaces.

Rental Info

Upcoming Events

2023-11-12

Veterans Open House

On Sunday, November 12, 2023 the Mendota Museum & Historical Society will honor those who have served our country. Hume-Carnegie Museum in Mendota will open its doors from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm to Veterans, current service members, their families and the general public. We welcome all veterans to come share their stories. Featured Veterans to be listed soon

Open to the Public

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2023-11-12

2023-12-08

Holidays at the Museum

The Mendota Museum and Historical Society would like to invite you to join with friends old and new on Friday, December 8 at our Holidays at the Museum event from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
Hume-Carnegie Museum in Mendota will be filled with the warmth, peace and love of the holiday season. There will be beverages, appetizers and delicious desserts as everyone gathers together with the sights and sounds of the season. The Mendota Museum and Historical Society enjoys this special time with their Museum friends and guests. Holidays at the Museum is open to the public. Bring your friends to enjoy this special Christmas treat. This is a ticketed event, $10.00 for members, $12 for nonmembers. If you are interested in attending, please contact the Museum by Friday, December 1.

2023-12-08