Researchers are welcome to use the Museum’s various historical resources. Due to West Chicago’s roots as a railroad town, an abundance of information has been collected on railroad history in the form of maps, photographs, and manuscript materials. Local history can be investigated with source materials such as newspapers, cemetery records, genealogies, biographies, and records of churches, schools, businesses, houses, commercial buildings, and organizations. A non-circulating reference library contains publications on railroad and local history.
Guidelines
Laptops are permitted. No cameras, scanners or food or drink are allowed. Appointments are required. In order to protect and preserve our collection, there may be restrictions as to the use of certain fragile materials. Photocopies are available for $0.10 a copy.
If you use copies for a purpose other than research or personal use, you may be charged a permission or use fee.
Museum Research Request Form – .pdf 838 kb
An appointment to use the collections is requested. Please contact museum@westchicago.com, or at (630) 231-3376. Museum staff can serve you best when ample time is given to gather research materials.
