Oswego's Little White School Museum Reopens Aug. 1 Amid Pandemic

OSWEGO, IL — The Little White School Museum will reopen Aug. 1 with limited hours, according to a release from the museum director. It has closed its doors March 13 to contain the spread of COVID-19 as per the governor's directives.

The museum is located at 72 Polk St., just two blocks from Oswego’s historic downtown business district.

"Previously we were open seven days a week, but with area businesses and governmental agencies slowly opening in accord with the Restore Illinois guidelines, we’ll be open on a restricted basis until further notice," museum director Roger Matile said.

Current plans call for the museum to be open Thursdays through Mondays from noon to 4 p.m. each day.

"Even that schedule could be changed depending on what happens with COVID going forward," he said.

Because of the unique challenges posed by the pandemic, museum visitors will be required to call ahead to reserve times to visit the museum gallery and core exhibit and whatever exhibit is currently available in the museum’s main room.

Reservations will be available for each hour from noon to 3 p.m., with visits limited to 45 minutes each to give staff time to clean before the next visitors arrive. The museum gallery will be limited to six visitors during each 45-minute time slot.

The first hour of each day will be set aside for visits by seniors and other medically vulnerable people and their families.

"Going forward, we will evaluate and adjust as this fluid situation continues," museum manager Tina Heidrich said. She added that the museum has been working closely comparing notes with other small Fox Valley-area museums as well as with the Illinois Association of Museums.

For more news and information like this, subscribe to the Oswego Patch for free. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. Don't forget to like us on Facebook!