Bartlett History Museum
Mission Statement
The Bartlett History Museum collects, preserves and interprets Bartlett's rich heritage and
shares it with the community through exhibitions, education and media in order to increase
public awareness, knowledge, and appreciation.
Located in Village Hall
228 S. Main Street
Bartlett, Il. 60103
Admission: Free
Accessible
Pam Rohleder, Director
Hours of Operation
Mon - Fri: 8:30am to 4:30pm
Saturday: 9:00am to Noon
Sunday: Closed
630-837-0800
Current Exhibitions
From My Perspective: The Drawings of Joanne Whitmer Bauer
Expressing herself through drawings and writings, Joanne captured her childhood memories of growing up in Bartlett in the 1930s through 1940s. Born in 1932, just prior to the family's move into what was then a small rural community, Joanne experienced the Great Depression, homefront efforts of World War II and post war change. She and her family, dad, Anthony (Tony), mom, Zalia, older sister, Norma, and younger brother, John, lived at 226 South Oak Avenue, just a few steps south of the railroad depot, the heart of town.
Joanne's days were filled with being a student, helping her parents and playing with the other children in the Village. These reminiscences are evident in the subject matter of her illustrations, such as class time at Bartlett School, working in the family garden, the joy of splashing in an open fire hydrant on a hot summer day.
Joanne eventually moved away from her hometown, was married and had four children. She passed away in 2007 at the age of 75. Joanne recalled in one of her writings that "Good memories linger."
Exhibition runs through May 2012
150th Anniversary of the Civil War
On April 12, 1861, the Civil War began when Confederate forces attacked a U.S. military installation at Fort Sumter in South Carolina. The "War Between the States," as it was also known, lasted four years. On the 150th anniversary of its beginning, all Americans have the opportunity to reflect upon a war that divided the nation.
Some German Hanover Township residents, such as George Struckman, who later became Bartlett's first Village president, volunteered to fight with the 4th Missouri cavalry unit. The Village's first depot agent, Oliver C. Hutchins, who was living in Wisconsin at the outbreak, mustered into the Second Wisconsin Volunteers, another cavalry unit.
Everyone is invited to visit the museum's small exhibit, which focuses on some future Bartlett residents and fashion of the Civil War era
.
The Village of Bartlett was established in 1873, eight years after the war ended. However, the Bartlett family had settled in Wayne Township, DuPage County in 1844.
Group Visits/Tours
The Bartlett History Museum welcomes school, scout and other groups by appointment. Admission is FREE. Please call Director Pam Rohleder, 630-837-0800 to schedule a visit.