Help us Restore the Depot

With a few more donations and plenty of elbow grease, the Depot will become the staging area for the historic Dunham collection, as well as a community center for the residents of Wayne.  Please join us in this timeless endeavor!
For more information on volunteering your time to help restore the Depot, email whps1834@yahoo.com.
We've raised $475,000 of our $575,000 goal.
We've accomplished a lot so far:
  • Foundation/Rough flooring installed.
  • Removed old interior paneling and other decaying wood elements.
  • Replaced and reinforced the interior framing; re-built octagonal ceiling opening.
  • Installed outdoor electric and telephone cable.
  • Installed new windows and historic doors.
  • Installation of well and septic field.
  • New siding installed and painted.
  • Plumbing
  • Inside electric lines
  • Bead board install
We still need your help to finish the restoration:
  • HVAC
  • Flooring
  • Chairlift
  • Landscaping

Wayne Depot

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In the 1920's after many years as the gateway building for the shipping of Percheron horses to farms across America, the Depot fell prey to the rise of the Industrial Revolution when work horses were replaced by machines.  In the 1950's, the Depot was moved just west of the Village to Dunham Castle and used as a stable.
Through the generosity of our donors as well as the owners of Dunham Castle, the Depot was moved back to its original location in October of 2007, where it is carefully being restored by a small army of volunteers. 

Accomplishing our Mission

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The Wayne Historical Preservation Society (WHPS) is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization which exists to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit artifacts, archival materials and photographs which show the historical significance of the Village of Wayne in the development of the rural economy in the agricultural age.  

The society will accomplish this goal through creating a community center/museum in the historic Wayne train depot, through educational and outreach programs with the local schools and families, through an archival research center, interpretive exhibits as well as through cooperative efforts with other organizations within the region. 

 

Wayne Depot - 1909


What does a day in 1950's Wayne, Illinois have in common with a day in October, 2007 in Wayne, Illinois?

Answer:  Both days saw the Depot being carefully moved along Old Wayne Road.