Stories of Batavia — Stories of Fox Valley's History — Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley

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Fabyan Villa Museum

Fabyan Japanese Garden

Sholes School Museum

Durant-Peterson House Museum

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4-Day Pioneer Day Camp, June 16-19

Concert in the Japanese Garden, June 20

Textile Day, June 22

Calendar of Events

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What is Historic Preservation?

1844 Judge Barry House, St. Charles

1846 Blacksmith Shop/Mill Race Inn, Geneva

1904 Cable Factory Piano Bridge, St. Charles

About

1850 Beith House

Our Accountability

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Visit

Fabyan Villa Museum

Fabyan Japanese Garden

Sholes School Museum

Durant-Peterson House Museum

Schools/Scouts

Camps and Adventures

Events

4-Day Pioneer Day Camp, June 16-19

Concert in the Japanese Garden, June 20

Textile Day, June 22

Calendar of Events

Preserve

What is Historic Preservation?

1844 Judge Barry House, St. Charles

1846 Blacksmith Shop/Mill Race Inn, Geneva

1904 Cable Factory Piano Bridge, St. Charles

About

1850 Beith House

Our Accountability

Support

Artifact Donation

WELCOME TO STORIES OF FOX VALLEY’S HISTORY

Stories of Batavia

MORE stories:

Fabyan 5
- Aug 18, 2024 1998: Riverbank Laboratories Threatened by Demolition Aug 18, 2024
- Jul 14, 2024 1991: Sumiko Kobayashi donates books that belonged to Nelle Fabyan Jul 14, 2024
- Jun 30, 2024 1995: Preservation Partners Begins Operation of Fabyan Villa Museum Jun 30, 2024
- Jun 4, 2024 The Enigmatist Jun 4, 2024
- Mar 30, 2024 Children of Riverbank Mar 30, 2024
Historic Preservation 39
- May 1, 2025 Judge Barry House - A 2025 Most Endangered Historic Site May 1, 2025
- May 1, 2025 1893 Viking Ship May Soon Have a New Home May 1, 2025
- Mar 30, 2025 Answers to Common Questions About Historic Preservation Mar 30, 2025
- Feb 25, 2025 Preservation by Adaptive Reuse Feb 25, 2025
- Feb 2, 2025 Judge Barry House Fate Undetermined Feb 2, 2025
- Jan 12, 2025 From Pitchforks to Partners Jan 12, 2025
- Jan 5, 2025 FOX FLASH Jan 5, 2025
- Dec 8, 2024 2006: Henry B. Fargo House in Geneva Landmarked Dec 8, 2024
- Dec 2, 2024 Make an Impact in Your Community: Become a Member Dec 2, 2024
- Dec 1, 2024 What Does a Historic Plaque Really Mean? Dec 1, 2024
- Nov 10, 2024 2017: Campana Building Plan for Adaptive Reuse is Defeated Nov 10, 2024
- Nov 3, 2024 2013: Driehaus Award for Preservation Advocacy for Saving Pure Oil Station Nov 3, 2024
- Oct 31, 2024 Forest Preserve District of Kane County 2024 Referendum Oct 31, 2024
- Oct 30, 2024 Code Enforcement as a Tool to Prevent Demolition by Neglect Oct 30, 2024
- Oct 1, 2024 Early Settlement Buildings of the Fox Valley Oct 1, 2024
- Oct 1, 2024 Preserving the Recent Past Oct 1, 2024
- Sep 29, 2024 2023: Blacksmith Shop/Mill Race Inn Saved from Demolition (again) Sep 29, 2024
- Sep 15, 2024 2007: First Treasures of the Tri-Cities Fundraiser Sep 15, 2024
- Sep 3, 2024 Potential Impact of Proposed Charles Farm Housing Development on Rural History of Kane County Sep 3, 2024
- Aug 29, 2024 Assessing the 1904 Cable Piano Factory Bridge Aug 29, 2024
- Aug 25, 2024 2015: Judd Mansion in St. Charles Saved Aug 25, 2024
- Aug 2, 2024 Fox River Dam Removals to be Re-evaluated Aug 2, 2024
- Jul 31, 2024 Geneva's Blacksmith Shop/Mill Race Inn: A Brief History Jul 31, 2024
- Jul 7, 2024 2019: South Geneva Historic District Defeated Jul 7, 2024
- Jul 1, 2024 7 Surprisingly Simple Steps that Preserve Local History Jul 1, 2024
- Jun 23, 2024 1989: Geneva Country Day School Added to National Register of Historic Places Jun 23, 2024
- Jun 20, 2024 Preservation Partners Named as a Consulting Party for Fox River Dams Jun 20, 2024
- Jun 10, 2024 Standards for Demolition Jun 10, 2024
- May 6, 2024 What Impact Will Dam Removal Have on Fox Valley History? May 6, 2024
- Apr 30, 2024 Proposal for 302 N. River Lane Found Incompatible with Geneva Historic District Apr 30, 2024
- Mar 31, 2024 Old Windows: Repair or Replace? Mar 31, 2024
- Mar 29, 2024 History and Rehabilitation of Old Copley Hospital in Aurora Mar 29, 2024
- Mar 24, 2024 Founding Mothers of Historic Preservation in Kane County Mar 24, 2024
- Feb 26, 2024 Eight Buildings Proposed for Demolition in Geneva's Historic District Feb 26, 2024
- Feb 1, 2024 Proactive Preservation Feb 1, 2024
- Jan 31, 2024 What's Happening with the St. Charles Dam? Jan 31, 2024
- Dec 27, 2023 Why is Historic Preservation Important? Dec 27, 2023
- Nov 30, 2023 Is There a Future for Preservation? Nov 30, 2023
- Nov 30, 2023 Potential New Development in Geneva's Historic District Nov 30, 2023
Japanese Garden Secrets 6
- Apr 30, 2025 Susumu Kobyashi, Fabyan Japanese Garden Gardener Apr 30, 2025
- Sep 8, 2024 2010: Centennial Celebration of the Fabyan Japanese Garden Sep 8, 2024
- Jun 29, 2024 Japanese Garden Design Theory Jun 29, 2024
- Jun 2, 2024 2002: The Fabyan Japanese Garden Opens to the Public for Regular Hours Jun 2, 2024
- May 2, 2024 Japanese Taiko Drumming May 2, 2024
- Dec 21, 2023 Winter Solstice Traditions in Japanese Culture Dec 21, 2023
Life on the prairie 8
- Dec 1, 2024 Candlelight - A Holiday Tradition Since 1972 Dec 1, 2024
- Nov 17, 2024 2003: Durant-Peterson House Museum Prairie Children Program Wins Award Nov 17, 2024
- Nov 1, 2024 2000: Candlelight at the Durant-Peterson House Extended to Two Days Nov 1, 2024
- Aug 28, 2024 The "Story" of the Old Pitchfork Aug 28, 2024
- Aug 11, 2024 2016: First summer camp at Durant-Peterson House and Sholes School Museums Aug 11, 2024
- Jul 30, 2024 Laundry in the 19th Century Jul 30, 2024
- May 30, 2024 Walking Onions May 30, 2024
- Feb 29, 2024 A Memory of Maple Sugaring Feb 29, 2024
Our History 55
- Mar 30, 2025 Thank you volunteers! Mar 30, 2025
- Dec 29, 2024 2024: Preservation Partners Celebrates 50th Anniversary Dec 29, 2024
- Dec 22, 2024 2001: Beith House Gets a Toilet! Dec 22, 2024
- Dec 15, 2024 2018: Preservation Partners Begins Operation of Sholes School Dec 15, 2024
- Dec 8, 2024 2006: Henry B. Fargo House in Geneva Landmarked Dec 8, 2024
- Nov 24, 2024 2012: HVAC Installed in Fabyan Villa Museum Nov 24, 2024
- Nov 17, 2024 2003: Durant-Peterson House Museum Prairie Children Program Wins Award Nov 17, 2024
- Nov 10, 2024 2017: Campana Building Plan for Adaptive Reuse is Defeated Nov 10, 2024
- Nov 3, 2024 2013: Driehaus Award for Preservation Advocacy for Saving Pure Oil Station Nov 3, 2024
- Nov 1, 2024 2000: Candlelight at the Durant-Peterson House Extended to Two Days Nov 1, 2024
- Oct 27, 2024 1978: Nancy Polivka Becomes President of Preservation Partners Oct 27, 2024
- Oct 20, 2024 1977: Direct Descendant visits the Durant-Peterson House Oct 20, 2024
- Oct 13, 2024 1975: First Fall Antique Show Oct 13, 2024
- Oct 6, 2024 2009: Driehaus Award for Preservation Received for Securing $50,000 Grant Award for 1893 Viking Ship Oct 6, 2024
- Sep 29, 2024 2023: Blacksmith Shop/Mill Race Inn Saved from Demolition (again) Sep 29, 2024
- Sep 22, 2024 1997: Fabyan Windmill evaluation by Lukas Verbij of the Netherlands Sep 22, 2024
- Sep 15, 2024 2007: First Treasures of the Tri-Cities Fundraiser Sep 15, 2024
- Sep 8, 2024 2010: Centennial Celebration of the Fabyan Japanese Garden Sep 8, 2024
- Sep 1, 2024 1985: First Staff Hired--Co-Executive Directors Janet and Liz Safanda Sep 1, 2024
- Aug 25, 2024 2015: Judd Mansion in St. Charles Saved Aug 25, 2024
- Aug 18, 2024 1998: Riverbank Laboratories Threatened by Demolition Aug 18, 2024
- Aug 11, 2024 2016: First summer camp at Durant-Peterson House and Sholes School Museums Aug 11, 2024
- Aug 4, 2024 2014: This Place Matters Aug 4, 2024
- Jul 28, 2024 2004: Bus tour highlights historic properties rehabilitated with Riverboat Grant Funds Jul 28, 2024
- Jul 21, 2024 1993: Restorations of Kane County Changes Name to Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley Jul 21, 2024
- Jul 14, 2024 1991: Sumiko Kobayashi donates books that belonged to Nelle Fabyan Jul 14, 2024
- Jul 7, 2024 2019: South Geneva Historic District Defeated Jul 7, 2024
- Jun 30, 2024 1995: Preservation Partners Begins Operation of Fabyan Villa Museum Jun 30, 2024
- Jun 23, 2024 1989: Geneva Country Day School Added to National Register of Historic Places Jun 23, 2024
- Jun 16, 2024 1976: Durant-Peterson House Added to National Register of Historic Places Jun 16, 2024
- Jun 9, 2024 2005: Fabyan Windmill Reopens Jun 9, 2024
- Jun 2, 2024 2002: The Fabyan Japanese Garden Opens to the Public for Regular Hours Jun 2, 2024
- May 26, 2024 1973: First "Day in the Country" Fundraiser May 26, 2024
- May 19, 2024 1979: Sholes School Moved to LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve May 19, 2024
- May 14, 2024 1986: Grants Received to Rehabilitate Interior Finishes in the Beith House May 14, 2024
- May 5, 2024 1987: Early Settlement Home Educational Program at the Beith House May 5, 2024
- Apr 28, 2024 2021: Durant-Peterson House Museum Long-Time Volunteer Frank Wukitsch Will Be Missed Apr 28, 2024
- Apr 21, 2024 1983: National Endowment for the Humanities Grant Received for Children's Workshops at the Durant-Peterson House Museum Apr 21, 2024
- Apr 14, 2024 1980: Friends of Fabyan Becomes an Affiliate of Preservation Partners Apr 14, 2024
- Apr 7, 2024 1999: Evelyn Johnson, One of our Founders, Dies Apr 7, 2024
- Mar 31, 2024 1996: "At Home with Nelle and George Fabyan" Draws Nearly 400 Visitors to the Fabyan Villa Museum Mar 31, 2024
- Mar 26, 2024 1974: Restorations of Kane County Becomes an Incorporated Non-Profit Organization Mar 26, 2024
- Mar 18, 2024 2018: Liz Safanda Retires After 33 Years as Executive Director Mar 18, 2024
- Mar 15, 2024 2020: COVID Lockdown Begins Mar 15, 2024
- Mar 11, 2024 1988: Forest Preserve District of Kane County Begins Funding Museum Operations Mar 11, 2024
- Mar 3, 2024 1992-1993: Farnsworth Mansion in St. Charles Disassembled Mar 3, 2024
- Feb 25, 2024 2011: "One Watt Home" Case Study at 405 S. First Street, Geneva Feb 25, 2024
- Feb 18, 2024 1981: Beith House to be Moved to Mt. Saint Mary Park Feb 18, 2024
- Feb 11, 2024 1982: Fabyan Mummy X-Rayed Feb 11, 2024
- Feb 4, 2024 1984: Fabyan Villa Museum added to the National Register of Historic Places Feb 4, 2024
- Jan 28, 2024 1994: Janet Safanda Retires after 9 Years as Co-Executive Director Jan 28, 2024
- Jan 21, 2024 2008: Linda Saxer Retires After 13 Years as Director of the Durant-Peterson House Museum Jan 21, 2024
- Jan 14, 2024 1990: First Annual Preservation Conference Jan 14, 2024
- Jan 7, 2024 1970-1972: Local Questers chapters save, begin restoration, and open Durant-Peterson House Museum Jan 7, 2024
- Dec 31, 2023 A Fifty-Year History of Preservation Dec 31, 2023
Recipes & Food 5
- Feb 27, 2025 The Community Cookbook Feb 27, 2025
- Oct 20, 2024 1977: Direct Descendant visits the Durant-Peterson House Oct 20, 2024
- Sep 30, 2024 HARDTACK Sep 30, 2024
- May 30, 2024 Walking Onions May 30, 2024
- Feb 26, 2024 Growing Sugar Maple Trees Feb 26, 2024
School-How did we learn? 3
- Mar 29, 2025 Reconstruction of the "Red School" in Big Rock Mar 29, 2025
- Jan 29, 2024 Cursive Writing Jan 29, 2024
- Nov 20, 2023 History of School Lunch Nov 20, 2023
Stories of Geneva 1
- Mar 1, 2024 Women's History of the Fox Valley Mar 1, 2024
Stories of St. Charles 1
- Mar 1, 2024 Women's History of the Fox Valley Mar 1, 2024

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Photos: Bill Huber & David Safanda