Last updated: 3/25/2011
72 Polk St
Oswego, IL 60543
Sunday - Wednesday, Friday
12 PM - 4 PM
Thursday, Saturday
9 AM - 4 PM
Archive/research: Th 1-4pm & Sa 9am-12pm
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Roger Matile
phone: 630-554-2999
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Bob Stekl
phone: 630-554-2999
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Mary Therriault
phone: 630-554-2999
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The Little White School Museum is located in a restored former Methodist-Episcopal Church and community elementary school. Permanent exhibits tell the story of the 68 square miles inside the Oswego School District. Seasonal temporary exhibits enhance the museum experience, while the community archives are a valuable resource for historians, genealogists and others. The building's restored main room is a venue for community civic meetings as well as available for rental for events that fit in with the museum's mission.
The mission of the Little White School Museum is to collect, procure, preserve, interpret, and exhibit materials that directly relate to the history and heritage of Oswego Township and its environs.
The Little White School Museum was completed in 1850 as a Methodist-Episcopal Church. The congregation dissolved in 1913, and in 1915 the Oswego Grade School District acquired the building for use as a one-room school. In 1930, the room was divided in two, and in 1936 a third classroom and main entry hall was added to the building's rear. The last classes were held in the building in 1964 after which is was used for school district storage. The Oswegoland Heritage Association was established in 1976 to preserve and restore the building, and to open a community museum. A three-way cooperative agreement by the Oswego School District, which maintained ownership of the building and grounds; the Oswegoland Park District, which agreed to pay normal operating expenses such as utilities; and the heritage association, which pledged to overseen restoration and eventual operation of the community museum allowed the project to continue. The community museum opened in 1983, and the archives and research area opened in 1992. Restoration efforts, mostly by community volunteers, continued until the project was completed in 2002. In late 2010, the school district agreed to transfer ownership to the park district, and the move was completed early in 2011. Museum operations are overseen by the heritage association, while the park district funds the building's operations and maintains the grounds, renamed Heritage Park. The project has been a model of cooperation between the nonprofit heritage association and the Oswegoland Park District.
Oswegoland Heritage Association
Access: General Public
Appointment required: No
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