November 01, 2024
Kendall County | Best of the Fox
Kendall County

Find all about toy trains Dec. 21 at Oswego’s Little White School Museum

By Shaw Media

It was a rare 1950s or 1960s kid who didn’t yearn to see a Lionel Train under the tree on Christmas morning. The fascination of young and old alike with model railroading continues to this day. At 1:30 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 21, Oswego’s Little White School Museum, 72 Polk St. will host “The History of Toy Trains,” especially for model railroad enthusiasts 16 and older. (Photo provided)

From the miniature, live steam trains of the 19th century to modern garden railways of the 21st century, learn all about the toy trains that have fascinated children for more than 100 years as Little White School Museum Assistant Director Bob Stekl presents “The History of Toy Trains” at the museum, 72 Polk St., Oswego.

Starting at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, Stekl, a longtime toy train collector, will illustrate how toy trains originated and how they evolved over the years. Using a combination of vintage toy trains from his collection, as well as multimedia images and historical documents, Stekl will guide visitors along the rails of history for an afternoon journey toy train enthusiasts won’t want to miss.

Admission for this special holiday program aimed at enthusiasts 16 and older is $5 a person at the door. The program is hosted by the Oswegoland Heritage Association in partnership with the Oswegoland Park District.

While at the Little White School Museum, visitors can stop in the museum gallery for “Toys from the Attic,” the latest seasonal exhibit mounted by museum assistant Sarah Kimes. From clamp-on ice skates to wooden toys of the past to games and puzzles of years gone by to vintage toy trains, the exhibit will be sure to delight visitors of all ages.

In addition, the museum store offers a variety of “Oswego” marked gifts, from custom pottery to Oswego history books and pamphlets to the museum’s exclusive selection of Cat’s Meow architectural miniatures of historic Oswego buildings. Also available are books, videos, and other items relating to Oswego’s ecological crusader, “The Fox.”

Holiday hours announced

The Little White School Museum has also announced special hours in effect during the Christmas and New Years holiday weeks.

The museum will be closed Dec. 24 to 26 for the Christmas holiday and Dec. 31 and Jan. 1 for the New Years holiday.

Special open hours will be observed both holiday weeks. The museum will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Dec. 23, 27, 28 and 30, as well as Jan. 2, 3 and 4.

The Little White School Museum is a joint venture of the Oswegoland Heritage Association and the Oswegoland Park District.

For information on the museum, the upcoming program or the museum’s special holiday hours, call the museum at 630-554-2999, email info@littlewhiteschoolmuseum.org or visit littlewhiteschoolmuseum.org.