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

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 buildings, collections, displays, and events, highlighting Mendota's rich past history of people, industry, railroading, agriculture, natural resources, 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

2024-05-10

Lunch In The Park

Join us for Lunch in the Park in Veterans Park and help to support the Mendota Museum & Historical Society.
We'll be serving Pork Chop Sandwiches, Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Brats, Hot Dogs, Chips, Cookies and Drinks

11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

 

2024-05-10

2024-05-25

Wild Bill Days

WHAT: Wild Bill! An Evening with James Butler Hickok

SPECIAL EDITION, “My Time in Illinois”

WHEN: Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26, 11 – 4PM
Performances at 12, 1:30 and 3PM

WHERE: Hume-Carnegie Museum, 901 Washington St., Mendota, IL

 

 

 

Wild Bill! An afternoon with James Butler Hickok is actor/writer Walt Willey’s tribute to Wild West icon James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok.
Willey will be performing the “Special Edition” of his one-person show - emphasizing Hickok’s time in Illinois in the Mendota, Troy Grove and Utica areas - on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26 at the Hume-Carnegie Museum, 901 Washington St., Mendota, IL, in conjunction with the area’s “Wild Bill Hickok Day” celebration of this legend’s birthday.

2024-05-25

2024-05-26

Wild Bill Days

WHAT: Wild Bill! An Evening with James Butler Hickok

 

SPECIAL EDITION, “My Time in Illinois”


WHEN: Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26, 11 – 4PM
Performances at 12, 1:30 and 3PM


WHERE: Hume-Carnegie Museum, 901 Washington St., Mendota, IL

 

Wild Bill! An afternoon with James Butler Hickok is actor/writer Walt Willey’s tribute to Wild West icon James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickok.


Willey will be performing the “Special Edition” of his one-person show - emphasizing Hickok’s time in Illinois in the Mendota, Troy Grove and Utica areas - on Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26 at the Hume-Carnegie Museum, 901 Washington St., Mendota, IL, in conjunction with the area’s “Wild Bill Hickok Day” celebration of this legend’s birthday.

2024-05-26