The St. Charles History Museum’s Jack & Kathy Brens Exhibit Hall features temporary exhibits displayed along the left hand wall of our main exhibit area and a rotating display exploring the story of St. Charles and how it came to be. Below are our current and upcoming exhibits.

Permanent Exhibit - The Makings of St. Charles

The Makings of St. Charles showcases the origins of St. Charles and the many components of its growth. The exhibit traces the city from its origins as a small settlement miles outside of Chicago, from its time as a Civil War training ground, to its growth as a getaway destination for city residents, all the way up until present day. The exhibit highlights the people, places, and things that have helped make St. Charles, Illinois “The Pride of the Fox”.

This project was made possible by generous grants from the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley and Grand Victoria Riverboat Grant, as well as the hard work of our dedicated staff and volunteers.

Previous Temporary Exhibits

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Actions: Local Connections to the Underground Railroad - Spring 2019

Centered around Lombard-based Folk Artist and Radical Abolitionist Sheldon Peck, Ordinary People, Extraordinary Actions explored the story of local people who were sympathetic to and involved in the cause of helping escaped former slaves find freedom in the northern states.

Tip of the Iceberg: St. Charles' Ties to the Titanic - Summer 2019

Returning home from Finland after a trip to visit her ill father, St. Charles resident Alice Berg Johnson and her two young children, Harold and Elanor, booked third class passage aboard the RMS Titanic on its fateful maiden voyage, not knowing that they would become a part of history. The Johnson family was among the nearly 700 passengers who were lucky enough to return home from the journey alive.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: The Boys School of St. Charles - Fall 2019

Founded in 1902 by John Gates, Samuel Allenton, and Henry Weaver, the Illinois State Home for Delinquent Boys was established with the intention of education and rehabilitation, allowing boys who would otherwise lead a life of crime to get a second chance at becoming productive members of society through hard work, dedication, and discipline.