Special tours of the the Country Chapel and Mathesius Barn can be arranged by calling the Mendota Museum & Historical Society Office at (815) 539-3373 E-mail: mmhs@mtco.com
This agricultural museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock.
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The Breaking the Prairie Museum presently consists of
two buildings. The Mathesius Brothers' Barn was completed in 2002. In 2004, the
Country Chapel was completed and both buildings were dedicated.
The Mathesius Brothers' Barn can now be viewed at any time. Large windows on
three sides allow viewing 24 hours a day, seven days
The Country Chapel was the dream of a long-time friend
and volunteer, Dean Otterbach. After his death in 2002 memorials and one fund
raiser enabled the completion of the Chapel. It represents a place of worship
and family social life at the time the prairie was www.farmmuseum.info - Information Site
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a week. Farm tools and
machinery are exhibited inside and outside this building. An exhibit of Allis Chalmers
tractors will be in the barn until after the Tri-country fair in early September.
A Scheidenhelm & Schaller buggy is also housed at this museum. At the north end of the Mathesius building a mid 1800s Elgin Hummer windmill has been erected.
broken in the late 19th and
early 20th Century. A pump organ, manufactured in Mendota in the 1880's and
restored by Roland Zimmerman, produces wonderful music in the Country Chapel for
special occasions. The organ sits to the west of the beautiful stained glass
window and a pulpit donated by Immanuel Lutheran Church in Compton. An altar,
pews and registration table complete the interior of the chapel. The Country
Chapel is available for small weddings, renewal of wedding vows, anniversaries,
meetings, or other small gatherings.