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Mendota Museum & Historical Society
"Telling the stories that make history come alive"
Hume-Carnegie Museum
and Historical Society Office
Tel. 815-539-3373
Hume-Carnegie Museum
The museum building was originally one of 2509 libraries built in the U.S by philanthropist Dale Carnegie in 1904. In 1996 , after a complete restoration, it was re-opened as a museum. It was made possible by funds donated by Mr Horace Hume, a local businessman and entrepreneur who also built the replacement library .
Hours: 1 to 4 pm Saturday and Sunday
March though the 2nd Sunday in December
Also by appointment:
please call (815) 539-3373
The museum building was constructed in 1904, one of 2509 libraries built in the U.S in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centruries with money donated by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. In 1996 , after a complete restoration, it was re-opened as the Hume-Carnegie museum. It was made possible by funds donated by Mr. Horace Hume, a local businessman and entrepreneur who also built the replacement library .
The Wild Bill Hickok Display
Memorabilia, artifacts, photographs, and books highlight the fascinating life of a man of local origin. He was a stagecoach driver, soldier, scout, lawman, gambler, showman, actor, and reputed to be deadly with a gun. Wild Bill got his name because of the many gunfights in which he was involved.
The Music Room Display
The grand piano, said to have been played by a Wild Bill relative, is one of a number of musical instruments on display. A pump organ, a Victrola phonograph, and other instruments are also part of the exhibit.
On display are photographic and document collections tracing the history of Mendota and the surrounding area tracing the growth of the community through the years.
Books "Wild Bill Hickok", "150 Years of Mendota", and other titles are available for purchase.
A pendulum clock made in the 1800's in Germany was used by train conductors to check the time on their pocket watches to maintain train schedules.
Visit the Union Depot Railroad Museum and the Breaking the Prairie Collection to learn more about how the railroads and agriculture were instrumental in the development of the town of Mendota.
Hume-Carnegie Museum is Handicap Accessible
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