Breaking the Prairie Museum
The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock.
In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding donated by brothers Earl and Melvin Mathesius—completed the first structure at Breaking the Prairie Museum. The Mathesius Brothers' Barn replica barn is glass-walled on three sides for open viewing 24 hours per day, every day of the year. Inside, there is a rotating display of antique tractors, a Scheidenhelm & Schaller buggy, and other farm equipment and tools. Outside, there is a rare Elgin-Hummer windmill from the mid-1800s that once stood on the farm of George Otterbach, as well as other farm implements.
Adjacent to the barn is The Country Chapel, which was completed in 2004. The chapel was the dream of Dean Otterbach, a founding member and long-time volunteer of the Mendota Museum & Historical Society. Inside is a restored pump organ that was originally manufactured in Mendota in the 1880s. Additionally, there is a stained glass window and a pulpit donated by Immanuel Lutheran Church in Compton.
Special tours of the Mathesius Barn and Country Chapel can be arranged by contacting the Mendota Museum & Historical Society Office.
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"Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Breaking the Prairie Museum</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>684 8th Street</div> <div> <span>Mendota</span>, <span>IL</span> <span>61342</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.farmmuseum.info/" target="_blank">Breaking the Prairie Museum</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 815-539-3373</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Breaking+the+Prairie+Museum%2C+684+8th+Street%2C+Mendota%2C+IL+61342" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding donated by brothers Earl and Melvin Mathesius—completed the first structure at Breaking the Prairie Museum. The Mathesius Brothers' Barn replica barn is glass-walled on three sides for open viewing 24 hours per day, every day of the year. Inside, there is a rotating display of antique tractors, a Scheidenhelm & Schaller buggy, and other farm equipment and tools. Outside, there is a rare Elgin-Hummer windmill from the mid-1800s that once stood on the farm of George Otterbach, as well as other farm implements.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Adjacent to the barn is The Country Chapel, which was completed in 2004. The chapel was the dream of Dean Otterbach, a founding member and long-time volunteer of the Mendota Museum & Historical Society. Inside is a restored pump organ that was originally manufactured in Mendota in the 1880s. Additionally, there is a stained glass window and a pulpit donated by Immanuel Lutheran Church in Compton.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Special tours of the Mathesius Barn and Country Chapel can be arranged by contacting the Mendota Museum & Historical Society Office.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/mendota-il/report/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding" name="description"/> <meta content="Breaking, Prairie, Museum, Mendota, IL" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Breaking the Prairie Museum"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock. In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Breaking the Prairie Museum"/> <meta property="og:description" content="The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock. In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.549999"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-89.117104"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Breaking the Prairie Museum</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>684 8th Street</div> <div> <span>Mendota</span>, <span>IL</span> <span>61342</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.farmmuseum.info/" target="_blank">Breaking the Prairie Museum</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 815-539-3373</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Breaking+the+Prairie+Museum%2C+684+8th+Street%2C+Mendota%2C+IL+61342" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding donated by brothers Earl and Melvin Mathesius—completed the first structure at Breaking the Prairie Museum. The Mathesius Brothers' Barn replica barn is glass-walled on three sides for open viewing 24 hours per day, every day of the year. Inside, there is a rotating display of antique tractors, a Scheidenhelm & Schaller buggy, and other farm equipment and tools. Outside, there is a rare Elgin-Hummer windmill from the mid-1800s that once stood on the farm of George Otterbach, as well as other farm implements.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Adjacent to the barn is The Country Chapel, which was completed in 2004. The chapel was the dream of Dean Otterbach, a founding member and long-time volunteer of the Mendota Museum & Historical Society. Inside is a restored pump organ that was originally manufactured in Mendota in the 1880s. Additionally, there is a stained glass window and a pulpit donated by Immanuel Lutheran Church in Compton.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Special tours of the Mathesius Barn and Country Chapel can be arranged by contacting the Mendota Museum & Historical Society Office.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/mendota-il/report/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 242]Code Context<?php // if (!$nowrapper) (Globals::$language == 'es') ? include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer_es.html") : include(APP . "/Resource/aarpe_footer.html"); ?><?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBDinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Breaking the Prairie Museum</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>684 8th Street</div> <div> <span>Mendota</span>, <span>IL</span> <span>61342</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.farmmuseum.info/" target="_blank">Breaking the Prairie Museum</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 815-539-3373</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Breaking+the+Prairie+Museum%2C+684+8th+Street%2C+Mendota%2C+IL+61342" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding donated by brothers Earl and Melvin Mathesius—completed the first structure at Breaking the Prairie Museum. The Mathesius Brothers' Barn replica barn is glass-walled on three sides for open viewing 24 hours per day, every day of the year. Inside, there is a rotating display of antique tractors, a Scheidenhelm & Schaller buggy, and other farm equipment and tools. Outside, there is a rare Elgin-Hummer windmill from the mid-1800s that once stood on the farm of George Otterbach, as well as other farm implements.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Adjacent to the barn is The Country Chapel, which was completed in 2004. The chapel was the dream of Dean Otterbach, a founding member and long-time volunteer of the Mendota Museum & Historical Society. Inside is a restored pump organ that was originally manufactured in Mendota in the 1880s. Additionally, there is a stained glass window and a pulpit donated by Immanuel Lutheran Church in Compton.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Special tours of the Mathesius Barn and Country Chapel can be arranged by contacting the Mendota Museum & Historical Society Office.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/mendota-il/report/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/mendota-il/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/mendota-il/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Mendota</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Mendota</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ilbalanced-living-active-balance-exercise-class-for-a-healthier-you-virtual-123124-73nd2cvj5q4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ACTIVE-BALANCE-EXERCISE-CLASS-FOR-A-HEALTHIER-YOU">Active Balance Exercise Class for a Healthier You</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 31, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Facebook and YouTube</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-qigong-with-nate-12272024-64n6nsqv839.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-THE-HEALING-ART-OF-QIGONG-TRY-OUR-GENTLE-HOME-WORKOUT">The Healing Art of Qigong: Try Our Gentle Home Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ak-tai-chi-with-mitch-for-strength-balance-and-relaxation-december-2024-anchorage-alaska-120624-fynwlvss9k5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-LEARN-THE-ANCIENT-ART-OF-TAI-CHI">Fitness: Learn the Ancient Art of Tai Chi</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/mendota-il/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-MENDOTA-IL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? <a href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/renew?campaignid= UARFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-MENDOTA-IL">Renew</a> or <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/my-membership/print-your-card/">Print Card</a></div> </div> </div> <style> .membership-tout {padding:16px 20px;} .membership-tout .list li { margin: 0; } </style> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_93505" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_93505', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer text-center"> <div class="fb-page" alt="Image of AARP Illinois Facebook Page" title="Image of AARP Illinois Facebook Page" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPIllinois" data-tabs="timeline" width="320" height="" data-small-header="false" data-adapt-container-width="true" data-hide-cover="false" data-show-facepile="true" lazy="true"> <blockquote cite="https://www.facebook.com/AARPIllinois" class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPIllinois">Facebook</a></blockquote> </div> </div> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <h2>Contact AARP<br />Illinois</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-quick-list module-spacer"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-envelope" alt="Email icon" title="Email icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="mailto:ILAARP@aarp.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ILAARP@aarp.org</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-globe" alt="Globe icon" title="Globe icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/region/illinois/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AARP Illinois</a></li> <li><i class="list-icon fa fa-map-marker" alt="Map Marker icon" title="Map Marker icon" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="https://states.aarp.org/aarp-illinois-contact-us/?intcmp=SNG-LNK-AARPLOCAL-CONTACT-20140101-MENDOTA-IL" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contact Us</a></li> </ul> </div> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/AARPIllinois" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Facebook"><img alt="Facebook icon" title="Facebook icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/facebook-dreamstale25.png"></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/aarpillinois" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Twitter"><img alt="Twitter icon" title="Twitter icon" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/responsive/icons/48/x-logo-black.png"></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aarpillinoisjoy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" aria-label="Open Instagram"><img src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/icon-ig.png" alt="Instagram icon" title="Instagram icon" style="height: 49px;"></a> </div> </div> </div></div> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail left-bot"></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail right-bot thin-rhs"></div> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> </div> <div class="row oneColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-12"><!-- script to activate navbar --> <script type="text/javascript"> jQuery(".channelBarMain ul.left li a").click(function() { window.location = jQuery(this).attr('href'); }); </script> </div> </div> ', 'scripts_for_layout' => '<title>Breaking the Prairie Museum - Mendota, IL</title> <meta name="page_title" content="Breaking the Prairie Museum - Mendota, IL"/> <meta name="robots" content="noindex, nofollow"/> <meta content="The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock. In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding" name="description"/> <meta content="Breaking, Prairie, Museum, Mendota, IL" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Breaking the Prairie Museum"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock. In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Breaking the Prairie Museum"/> <meta property="og:description" content="The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock. In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.549999"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-89.117104"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Breaking the Prairie Museum</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>684 8th Street</div> <div> <span>Mendota</span>, <span>IL</span> <span>61342</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.farmmuseum.info/" target="_blank">Breaking the Prairie Museum</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 815-539-3373</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Breaking+the+Prairie+Museum%2C+684+8th+Street%2C+Mendota%2C+IL+61342" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding donated by brothers Earl and Melvin Mathesius—completed the first structure at Breaking the Prairie Museum. The Mathesius Brothers' Barn replica barn is glass-walled on three sides for open viewing 24 hours per day, every day of the year. Inside, there is a rotating display of antique tractors, a Scheidenhelm & Schaller buggy, and other farm equipment and tools. Outside, there is a rare Elgin-Hummer windmill from the mid-1800s that once stood on the farm of George Otterbach, as well as other farm implements.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Adjacent to the barn is The Country Chapel, which was completed in 2004. The chapel was the dream of Dean Otterbach, a founding member and long-time volunteer of the Mendota Museum & Historical Society. Inside is a restored pump organ that was originally manufactured in Mendota in the 1880s. Additionally, there is a stained glass window and a pulpit donated by Immanuel Lutheran Church in Compton.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Special tours of the Mathesius Barn and Country Chapel can be arranged by contacting the Mendota Museum & Historical Society Office.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/mendota-il/report/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/mendota-il/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/mendota-il/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Mendota</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Mendota</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ilbalanced-living-active-balance-exercise-class-for-a-healthier-you-virtual-123124-73nd2cvj5q4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ACTIVE-BALANCE-EXERCISE-CLASS-FOR-A-HEALTHIER-YOU">Active Balance Exercise Class for a Healthier You</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 31, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Facebook and YouTube</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-qigong-with-nate-12272024-64n6nsqv839.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-THE-HEALING-ART-OF-QIGONG-TRY-OUR-GENTLE-HOME-WORKOUT">The Healing Art of Qigong: Try Our Gentle Home Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ak-tai-chi-with-mitch-for-strength-balance-and-relaxation-december-2024-anchorage-alaska-120624-fynwlvss9k5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-LEARN-THE-ANCIENT-ART-OF-TAI-CHI">Fitness: Learn the Ancient Art of Tai Chi</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/mendota-il/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-MENDOTA-IL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBDinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Breaking the Prairie Museum</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>684 8th Street</div> <div> <span>Mendota</span>, <span>IL</span> <span>61342</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.farmmuseum.info/" target="_blank">Breaking the Prairie Museum</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 815-539-3373</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Breaking+the+Prairie+Museum%2C+684+8th+Street%2C+Mendota%2C+IL+61342" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding donated by brothers Earl and Melvin Mathesius—completed the first structure at Breaking the Prairie Museum. The Mathesius Brothers' Barn replica barn is glass-walled on three sides for open viewing 24 hours per day, every day of the year. Inside, there is a rotating display of antique tractors, a Scheidenhelm & Schaller buggy, and other farm equipment and tools. Outside, there is a rare Elgin-Hummer windmill from the mid-1800s that once stood on the farm of George Otterbach, as well as other farm implements.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Adjacent to the barn is The Country Chapel, which was completed in 2004. The chapel was the dream of Dean Otterbach, a founding member and long-time volunteer of the Mendota Museum & Historical Society. Inside is a restored pump organ that was originally manufactured in Mendota in the 1880s. Additionally, there is a stained glass window and a pulpit donated by Immanuel Lutheran Church in Compton.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Special tours of the Mathesius Barn and Country Chapel can be arranged by contacting the Mendota Museum & Historical Society Office.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/mendota-il/report/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/mendota-il/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/mendota-il/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Mendota</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Mendota</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ilbalanced-living-active-balance-exercise-class-for-a-healthier-you-virtual-123124-73nd2cvj5q4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ACTIVE-BALANCE-EXERCISE-CLASS-FOR-A-HEALTHIER-YOU">Active Balance Exercise Class for a Healthier You</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 31, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Facebook and YouTube</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-qigong-with-nate-12272024-64n6nsqv839.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-THE-HEALING-ART-OF-QIGONG-TRY-OUR-GENTLE-HOME-WORKOUT">The Healing Art of Qigong: Try Our Gentle Home Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ak-tai-chi-with-mitch-for-strength-balance-and-relaxation-december-2024-anchorage-alaska-120624-fynwlvss9k5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-LEARN-THE-ANCIENT-ART-OF-TAI-CHI">Fitness: Learn the Ancient Art of Tai Chi</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/mendota-il/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-MENDOTA-IL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding" name="description"/> <meta content="Breaking, Prairie, Museum, Mendota, IL" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Breaking the Prairie Museum"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock. In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Breaking the Prairie Museum"/> <meta property="og:description" content="The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock. In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.549999"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-89.117104"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Breaking the Prairie Museum</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>684 8th Street</div> <div> <span>Mendota</span>, <span>IL</span> <span>61342</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.farmmuseum.info/" target="_blank">Breaking the Prairie Museum</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 815-539-3373</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Breaking+the+Prairie+Museum%2C+684+8th+Street%2C+Mendota%2C+IL+61342" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding donated by brothers Earl and Melvin Mathesius—completed the first structure at Breaking the Prairie Museum. The Mathesius Brothers' Barn replica barn is glass-walled on three sides for open viewing 24 hours per day, every day of the year. Inside, there is a rotating display of antique tractors, a Scheidenhelm & Schaller buggy, and other farm equipment and tools. Outside, there is a rare Elgin-Hummer windmill from the mid-1800s that once stood on the farm of George Otterbach, as well as other farm implements.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Adjacent to the barn is The Country Chapel, which was completed in 2004. The chapel was the dream of Dean Otterbach, a founding member and long-time volunteer of the Mendota Museum & Historical Society. Inside is a restored pump organ that was originally manufactured in Mendota in the 1880s. Additionally, there is a stained glass window and a pulpit donated by Immanuel Lutheran Church in Compton.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Special tours of the Mathesius Barn and Country Chapel can be arranged by contacting the Mendota Museum & Historical Society Office.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/mendota-il/report/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/mendota-il/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/mendota-il/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Mendota</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Mendota</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ilbalanced-living-active-balance-exercise-class-for-a-healthier-you-virtual-123124-73nd2cvj5q4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ACTIVE-BALANCE-EXERCISE-CLASS-FOR-A-HEALTHIER-YOU">Active Balance Exercise Class for a Healthier You</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 31, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Facebook and YouTube</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-qigong-with-nate-12272024-64n6nsqv839.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-THE-HEALING-ART-OF-QIGONG-TRY-OUR-GENTLE-HOME-WORKOUT">The Healing Art of Qigong: Try Our Gentle Home Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ak-tai-chi-with-mitch-for-strength-balance-and-relaxation-december-2024-anchorage-alaska-120624-fynwlvss9k5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-LEARN-THE-ANCIENT-ART-OF-TAI-CHI">Fitness: Learn the Ancient Art of Tai Chi</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/mendota-il/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-MENDOTA-IL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding" name="description"/> <meta content="Breaking, Prairie, Museum, Mendota, IL" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Breaking the Prairie Museum"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock. 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In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.549999"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-89.117104"/> ' $title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = '' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/mendota-il/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Mendota, IL</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/mendota-il/things-to-do/">Places</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="containerx"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu containerx" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/mendota-il/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/mendota-il/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/mendota-il/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/mendota-il/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/mendota-il/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/mendota-il/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/mendota-il/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/mendota-il/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/mendota-il/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/mendota-il/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/mendota-il/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/mendota-il/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/mendota-il/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? 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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 243]Code Context<?php if (!$nowrapper): // MLW - Spanish wrappers TBDinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Breaking the Prairie Museum</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>684 8th Street</div> <div> <span>Mendota</span>, <span>IL</span> <span>61342</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.farmmuseum.info/" target="_blank">Breaking the Prairie Museum</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 815-539-3373</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Breaking+the+Prairie+Museum%2C+684+8th+Street%2C+Mendota%2C+IL+61342" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding donated by brothers Earl and Melvin Mathesius—completed the first structure at Breaking the Prairie Museum. The Mathesius Brothers' Barn replica barn is glass-walled on three sides for open viewing 24 hours per day, every day of the year. Inside, there is a rotating display of antique tractors, a Scheidenhelm & Schaller buggy, and other farm equipment and tools. Outside, there is a rare Elgin-Hummer windmill from the mid-1800s that once stood on the farm of George Otterbach, as well as other farm implements.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Adjacent to the barn is The Country Chapel, which was completed in 2004. The chapel was the dream of Dean Otterbach, a founding member and long-time volunteer of the Mendota Museum & Historical Society. Inside is a restored pump organ that was originally manufactured in Mendota in the 1880s. Additionally, there is a stained glass window and a pulpit donated by Immanuel Lutheran Church in Compton.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Special tours of the Mathesius Barn and Country Chapel can be arranged by contacting the Mendota Museum & Historical Society Office.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/mendota-il/report/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/mendota-il/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/mendota-il/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Mendota</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Mendota</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ilbalanced-living-active-balance-exercise-class-for-a-healthier-you-virtual-123124-73nd2cvj5q4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ACTIVE-BALANCE-EXERCISE-CLASS-FOR-A-HEALTHIER-YOU">Active Balance Exercise Class for a Healthier You</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 31, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Facebook and YouTube</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-qigong-with-nate-12272024-64n6nsqv839.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-THE-HEALING-ART-OF-QIGONG-TRY-OUR-GENTLE-HOME-WORKOUT">The Healing Art of Qigong: Try Our Gentle Home Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ak-tai-chi-with-mitch-for-strength-balance-and-relaxation-december-2024-anchorage-alaska-120624-fynwlvss9k5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-LEARN-THE-ANCIENT-ART-OF-TAI-CHI">Fitness: Learn the Ancient Art of Tai Chi</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/mendota-il/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-MENDOTA-IL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Breaking the Prairie Museum"/> <meta property="og:description" content="The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock. In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.549999"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-89.117104"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Breaking the Prairie Museum</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>684 8th Street</div> <div> <span>Mendota</span>, <span>IL</span> <span>61342</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.farmmuseum.info/" target="_blank">Breaking the Prairie Museum</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 815-539-3373</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Breaking+the+Prairie+Museum%2C+684+8th+Street%2C+Mendota%2C+IL+61342" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding donated by brothers Earl and Melvin Mathesius—completed the first structure at Breaking the Prairie Museum. The Mathesius Brothers' Barn replica barn is glass-walled on three sides for open viewing 24 hours per day, every day of the year. Inside, there is a rotating display of antique tractors, a Scheidenhelm & Schaller buggy, and other farm equipment and tools. Outside, there is a rare Elgin-Hummer windmill from the mid-1800s that once stood on the farm of George Otterbach, as well as other farm implements.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Adjacent to the barn is The Country Chapel, which was completed in 2004. The chapel was the dream of Dean Otterbach, a founding member and long-time volunteer of the Mendota Museum & Historical Society. Inside is a restored pump organ that was originally manufactured in Mendota in the 1880s. Additionally, there is a stained glass window and a pulpit donated by Immanuel Lutheran Church in Compton.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Special tours of the Mathesius Barn and Country Chapel can be arranged by contacting the Mendota Museum & Historical Society Office.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/mendota-il/report/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/mendota-il/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/mendota-il/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Mendota</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Mendota</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ilbalanced-living-active-balance-exercise-class-for-a-healthier-you-virtual-123124-73nd2cvj5q4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ACTIVE-BALANCE-EXERCISE-CLASS-FOR-A-HEALTHIER-YOU">Active Balance Exercise Class for a Healthier You</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 31, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Facebook and YouTube</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-qigong-with-nate-12272024-64n6nsqv839.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-THE-HEALING-ART-OF-QIGONG-TRY-OUR-GENTLE-HOME-WORKOUT">The Healing Art of Qigong: Try Our Gentle Home Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ak-tai-chi-with-mitch-for-strength-balance-and-relaxation-december-2024-anchorage-alaska-120624-fynwlvss9k5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-LEARN-THE-ANCIENT-ART-OF-TAI-CHI">Fitness: Learn the Ancient Art of Tai Chi</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/mendota-il/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-MENDOTA-IL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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Warning (2): include(/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html) [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: failed to open stream: No such file or directory [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]Code Contextinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Breaking the Prairie Museum</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>684 8th Street</div> <div> <span>Mendota</span>, <span>IL</span> <span>61342</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.farmmuseum.info/" target="_blank">Breaking the Prairie Museum</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 815-539-3373</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Breaking+the+Prairie+Museum%2C+684+8th+Street%2C+Mendota%2C+IL+61342" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding donated by brothers Earl and Melvin Mathesius—completed the first structure at Breaking the Prairie Museum. The Mathesius Brothers' Barn replica barn is glass-walled on three sides for open viewing 24 hours per day, every day of the year. Inside, there is a rotating display of antique tractors, a Scheidenhelm & Schaller buggy, and other farm equipment and tools. Outside, there is a rare Elgin-Hummer windmill from the mid-1800s that once stood on the farm of George Otterbach, as well as other farm implements.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Adjacent to the barn is The Country Chapel, which was completed in 2004. The chapel was the dream of Dean Otterbach, a founding member and long-time volunteer of the Mendota Museum & Historical Society. Inside is a restored pump organ that was originally manufactured in Mendota in the 1880s. Additionally, there is a stained glass window and a pulpit donated by Immanuel Lutheran Church in Compton.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Special tours of the Mathesius Barn and Country Chapel can be arranged by contacting the Mendota Museum & Historical Society Office.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/mendota-il/report/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/mendota-il/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/mendota-il/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Mendota</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Mendota</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ilbalanced-living-active-balance-exercise-class-for-a-healthier-you-virtual-123124-73nd2cvj5q4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ACTIVE-BALANCE-EXERCISE-CLASS-FOR-A-HEALTHIER-YOU">Active Balance Exercise Class for a Healthier You</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 31, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Facebook and YouTube</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-qigong-with-nate-12272024-64n6nsqv839.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-THE-HEALING-ART-OF-QIGONG-TRY-OUR-GENTLE-HOME-WORKOUT">The Healing Art of Qigong: Try Our Gentle Home Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ak-tai-chi-with-mitch-for-strength-balance-and-relaxation-december-2024-anchorage-alaska-120624-fynwlvss9k5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-LEARN-THE-ANCIENT-ART-OF-TAI-CHI">Fitness: Learn the Ancient Art of Tai Chi</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/mendota-il/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-MENDOTA-IL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding" name="description"/> <meta content="Breaking, Prairie, Museum, Mendota, IL" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Breaking the Prairie Museum"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock. In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Breaking the Prairie Museum"/> <meta property="og:description" content="The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock. In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.549999"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-89.117104"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Breaking the Prairie Museum</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>684 8th Street</div> <div> <span>Mendota</span>, <span>IL</span> <span>61342</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.farmmuseum.info/" target="_blank">Breaking the Prairie Museum</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 815-539-3373</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Breaking+the+Prairie+Museum%2C+684+8th+Street%2C+Mendota%2C+IL+61342" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding donated by brothers Earl and Melvin Mathesius—completed the first structure at Breaking the Prairie Museum. The Mathesius Brothers' Barn replica barn is glass-walled on three sides for open viewing 24 hours per day, every day of the year. Inside, there is a rotating display of antique tractors, a Scheidenhelm & Schaller buggy, and other farm equipment and tools. Outside, there is a rare Elgin-Hummer windmill from the mid-1800s that once stood on the farm of George Otterbach, as well as other farm implements.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Adjacent to the barn is The Country Chapel, which was completed in 2004. The chapel was the dream of Dean Otterbach, a founding member and long-time volunteer of the Mendota Museum & Historical Society. Inside is a restored pump organ that was originally manufactured in Mendota in the 1880s. Additionally, there is a stained glass window and a pulpit donated by Immanuel Lutheran Church in Compton.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Special tours of the Mathesius Barn and Country Chapel can be arranged by contacting the Mendota Museum & Historical Society Office.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/mendota-il/report/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/mendota-il/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/mendota-il/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Mendota</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Mendota</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ilbalanced-living-active-balance-exercise-class-for-a-healthier-you-virtual-123124-73nd2cvj5q4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ACTIVE-BALANCE-EXERCISE-CLASS-FOR-A-HEALTHIER-YOU">Active Balance Exercise Class for a Healthier You</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 31, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Facebook and YouTube</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-qigong-with-nate-12272024-64n6nsqv839.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-THE-HEALING-ART-OF-QIGONG-TRY-OUR-GENTLE-HOME-WORKOUT">The Healing Art of Qigong: Try Our Gentle Home Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ak-tai-chi-with-mitch-for-strength-balance-and-relaxation-december-2024-anchorage-alaska-120624-fynwlvss9k5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-LEARN-THE-ANCIENT-ART-OF-TAI-CHI">Fitness: Learn the Ancient Art of Tai Chi</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/mendota-il/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-MENDOTA-IL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.549999"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-89.117104"/> ' $title_for_layout = 'Place Detail - AARP' $asset_version = '230831' $min = true $nowrapper = false $css = '' $highlighting = '' $location = '<a href="/mendota-il/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HOME">Mendota, IL</a>' $no_header = false $header_title = '<a href="/mendota-il/things-to-do/">Places</a>' $header_subtitle = '' $isPR = false $navbar = '<nav class="section" role="button" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="collapse"> <div class="containerx"> <div class="section-toggle">Sections <i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></div> <ul class="secondary-menu containerx" id="secondary-menu" role="menu" aria-busy="true"> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/mendota-il/aarp-events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-OLE" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Online & Local Events</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="active"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/mendota-il/things-to-do/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-TTD" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-THINGSTODO">Things to Do</a></li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/mendota-il/happenings/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-NF" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HAPPENINGS">News Feed</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/mendota-il/volunteering/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-VOL" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-VOLUNTEERING">Volunteering</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/mendota-il/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HC">Home & Community</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class=""><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem" href="/mendota-il/movies/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MFG" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MOVIESFORGROWNUPS">Movies for Grownups</a> </li> <li role="presentation" class="more nosep " id="submenu-more"> <span role="menuitem" class="menuitem" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MORE">More<i class="fas fa-chevron-down"></i></span> <ul class="secondary-submenu animate slide-in" id="secondary-submenu"> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/mendota-il/discounts/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LO" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-OFFERS">Local Offers</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/mendota-il/local-resources/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-LR" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-LOCALRESOURCES">Local Resources</a> </li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/mendota-il/jobs/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-WJ" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-WORK&JOBS">Work & Jobs</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/mendota-il/events/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-CC" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-EVENTS">Community Calendar</a></li> <!-- <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/mendota-il/healthy-living/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-HEALTHY_LIVING" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-HEALTHY_LIVING">Healthy Living</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/mendota-il/arts-entertainment/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-ARTS_ENT" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-ARTS_ENT">Arts & Entertainment</a></li> <li role="presentation"><a role="menuitem" class="menuitem " href="/mendota-il/museums/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-NAV-MUSEUMS" data-formelementid="LOCAL-LNK-CLK-MUSEUMS">Museums</a></li> --> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </nav>' $header_custom = '' $breadcrumbs = array( (int) 0 => array( 'title' => 'Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) ) $row = array( 'title' => 'Back to Things to Do', 'slug' => 'things-to-do' ) $i = (int) 0include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244 include - APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244 View::_evaluate() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 971 View::_render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 933 View::renderLayout() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 546 View::render() - CORE/Cake/View/View.php, line 481 Controller::render() - CORE/Cake/Controller/Controller.php, line 963 AppController::renderPage() - APP/Controller/AppController.php, line 136 PlacesController::display() - APP/Controller/PlacesController.php, line 501 ReflectionMethod::invokeArgs() - [internal], line ?? 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Warning (2): include() [<a href='http://php.net/function.include'>function.include</a>]: Failed opening '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html' for inclusion (include_path='/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/lib:.:/usr/share/pear:/usr/share/php') [APP/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp, line 244]Code Contextinclude (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.footer.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.bodyTargeting.html");include (APP . "Resource/aarp2_master.resource.footer.root.html");$viewFile = '/var/www/vhosts/vcc_staging/app/View/Layouts/aarp_2023.ctp' $dataForView = array( 'content_for_layout' => '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Breaking the Prairie Museum</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>684 8th Street</div> <div> <span>Mendota</span>, <span>IL</span> <span>61342</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.farmmuseum.info/" target="_blank">Breaking the Prairie Museum</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 815-539-3373</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Breaking+the+Prairie+Museum%2C+684+8th+Street%2C+Mendota%2C+IL+61342" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding donated by brothers Earl and Melvin Mathesius—completed the first structure at Breaking the Prairie Museum. The Mathesius Brothers' Barn replica barn is glass-walled on three sides for open viewing 24 hours per day, every day of the year. Inside, there is a rotating display of antique tractors, a Scheidenhelm & Schaller buggy, and other farm equipment and tools. Outside, there is a rare Elgin-Hummer windmill from the mid-1800s that once stood on the farm of George Otterbach, as well as other farm implements.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Adjacent to the barn is The Country Chapel, which was completed in 2004. The chapel was the dream of Dean Otterbach, a founding member and long-time volunteer of the Mendota Museum & Historical Society. Inside is a restored pump organ that was originally manufactured in Mendota in the 1880s. Additionally, there is a stained glass window and a pulpit donated by Immanuel Lutheran Church in Compton.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Special tours of the Mathesius Barn and Country Chapel can be arranged by contacting the Mendota Museum & Historical Society Office.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/mendota-il/report/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. Nothing you submit will be shared with other site visitors. </div> <style> .report_button_message { color: #333; font-size: 12px; clear: both; } </style> </div> </div> </div><div class="module clearfix"><div class="module-spacer tout-homefit-750"> <a data-formelementid="CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024" href="/mendota-il/home-and-community/?intcmp=CSN-LOCAL-HC-PLSK-02272024"><img class="img-responsive" alt="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" title="Explore the free AARP HomeFit Guide" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/touts/HomeFit_750x150.png"></a> </div></div></div> <div class="col-md-4 right-rail thin-rhs"><div class="module clearfix"><!--default--> <!-- module_RHS - AARP Events --> <div class="ar-basic-box module-spacer"> <header> <div class="pull-right"> <a href="/mendota-il/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS"> <img style="width:30px;" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/icons/aarp_event_icon.png" alt="Upcoming AARP Events" /> </a> </div> <h2 class="visible-lg">AARP Events for Mendota</h2> <h2 class="hidden-lg">AARP Events for Mendota</h2> </header> <div class="wrap"> <div class="ar-listing snippet"> <ul class="list"> <li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h3 class="topic">Featured Event</h3> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ilbalanced-living-active-balance-exercise-class-for-a-healthier-you-virtual-123124-73nd2cvj5q4.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-ACTIVE-BALANCE-EXERCISE-CLASS-FOR-A-HEALTHIER-YOU">Active Balance Exercise Class for a Healthier You</a></h2> <p class="time">Tuesday, Dec 31, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Facebook and YouTube</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-wy-qigong-with-nate-12272024-64n6nsqv839.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-THE-HEALING-ART-OF-QIGONG-TRY-OUR-GENTLE-HOME-WORKOUT">The Healing Art of Qigong: Try Our Gentle Home Workout</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li><li class="item" data-pageindex="1"> <h2 class="title"><a href="/aarp-event/aarp-ak-tai-chi-with-mitch-for-strength-balance-and-relaxation-december-2024-anchorage-alaska-120624-fynwlvss9k5.html" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-EVENTS-FITNESS-LEARN-THE-ANCIENT-ART-OF-TAI-CHI">Fitness: Learn the Ancient Art of Tai Chi</a></h2> <p class="time">Friday, Dec 27, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. CT</p> <p class="venue">Zoom</p> <p class="loc">Online Event</p> </li> </ul> <p><a class="link-red" href="/mendota-il/aarp-events/" data-formelementid="LOCAL-BTN-CLK-SEEALL-EVENTS">View All AARP Events<i class="ml-1 fas fa-chevron-right"></i></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div aria-hidden="true" class="aarpe-ad-wrapper"> <div class="aarpe-ad en clearfix" id="300x250_53475" data-adsize="300x250"> <script type="text/javascript"> if(typeof AARP.ads !== 'undefined'){ AARP.ads.slots({ id:'300x250_53475', size:'300x250'}); } </script> </div> </div> <div class="card-tout card-dark membership-tout" style="margin:0 0 30px 0;"> <img class="img-responsive image" title="image of two AARP membership cards" alt="image of two AARP membership cards" src="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/tout-two-cards.png"> <div class="title">Only $12 your first year with Automatic Renewal</div> <ul class="list"> <li>Immediate access to your <a href="https://www.aarp.org/benefits-discounts/">member benefits</a></li> <li>Discounts on travel and everyday savings</li> <li>Subscription to AARP The Magazine</li> <li>FREE second membership</li> </ul> <div class="action"> <a class="btn" href="https://appsec.aarp.org/mem/join?campaignid=UAJFT3&intcmp=LNK-CSN-AARPLOCAL-JRTOUT-RR-A-MENDOTA-IL">Join AARP</a> <div class="body">Already a member? 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In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding" name="description"/> <meta content="Breaking, Prairie, Museum, Mendota, IL" name="keywords"/> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.americantowns.com/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://vccstaging.local.aarp.org/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html"/> <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image"/> <meta name="twitter:title" content="Breaking the Prairie Museum"/> <meta name="twitter:description" content="The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock. In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding"/> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="og:type" content="place"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Breaking the Prairie Museum"/> <meta property="og:description" content="The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock. In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn-aarp.americantowns.com/img/template/thumbs/generic-icon.jpg"/> <meta property="place:location:latitude" content="41.549999"/> <meta property="place:location:longitude" content="-89.117104"/> ', 'title_for_layout' => 'Place Detail - AARP' ) $content_for_layout = '<div class="row twoColumnLayout"> <div class="col-md-8 left-rail"><div class="module clearfix"><div class="ar-basic-box"> <div class="module-spacer"> <header><h1 class="article-headline">Breaking the Prairie Museum</h1></header> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-6 left module-spacer"> <p> <div> <div>684 8th Street</div> <div> <span>Mendota</span>, <span>IL</span> <span>61342</span> </div> </div> </p> <div> <i class="fa fa-external-link-square"></i> <a href="http://www.farmmuseum.info/" target="_blank">Breaking the Prairie Museum</a> </div> <div><i class="fa fa-phone-square"></i> 815-539-3373</div> </div> <div class="col-sm-6 module-spacer"> <iframe width="100%" height="220" frameborder="0" style="border:0" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed/v1/place?key=AIzaSyCU5aZylcrTOLke9e3U0F2mXovlZ4bL8yk&q=Breaking+the+Prairie+Museum%2C+684+8th+Street%2C+Mendota%2C+IL+61342" allowfullscreen> </iframe> </div> </div> <div class="module-spacer clearfix"> <p style="text-align: justify;">The Breaking the Prairie Museum honors farm families, their machinery, and their livestock.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">In 2002, the Mendota Museum & Historical Society—through funding donated by brothers Earl and Melvin Mathesius—completed the first structure at Breaking the Prairie Museum. The Mathesius Brothers' Barn replica barn is glass-walled on three sides for open viewing 24 hours per day, every day of the year. Inside, there is a rotating display of antique tractors, a Scheidenhelm & Schaller buggy, and other farm equipment and tools. Outside, there is a rare Elgin-Hummer windmill from the mid-1800s that once stood on the farm of George Otterbach, as well as other farm implements.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Adjacent to the barn is The Country Chapel, which was completed in 2004. The chapel was the dream of Dean Otterbach, a founding member and long-time volunteer of the Mendota Museum & Historical Society. Inside is a restored pump organ that was originally manufactured in Mendota in the 1880s. Additionally, there is a stained glass window and a pulpit donated by Immanuel Lutheran Church in Compton.</p> <p style="text-align: justify;">Special tours of the Mathesius Barn and Country Chapel can be arranged by contacting the Mendota Museum & Historical Society Office.</p> </div> <div class="reportthis" style="margin-bottom: 20px;"> <form method="post" action="/mendota-il/report/place/breaking-the-prairie-museum-mendota-il.html"> <button type="submit" class="btn btnregister pull-right" style="margin-bottom: 10px;">Flag This Place</button> </form> </div> <div class="report_button_message">Please use "Flag This Place" to alert us about content that is inappropriate or needs immediate attention. 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