Wauseon, OH – A new “All Aboard!” train exhibit at the Museum of Fulton County will allow guests to journey back in time to explore the history of trains in this region.
The interactive exhibit featuring train and depot artifacts, model trains, and hands-on activities will focus on the people who worked on and around the railroad. The exhibit opens to the public on Friday, January 26 at 10:00 am.
“Since 1852, electric trollies, steam and diesel engines have crisscrossed the county and helped each village to thrive,” shared John Swearingen, Jr., director of the Museum of Fulton County.
“Our new “All Aboard!” train exhibit will share information about the four railroad company lines that ran through the county including the New York Central, Wabash, Detroit-Toledo, and Ironton, and the Toledo & Western and Toledo & Indiana electric interurban railroads (cable cars).
We will also be telling the stories of local people involved with the railroad including passengers, depot employees and community members.
Located in the Worthington Gallery at the museum, this temporary exhibit features a variety of railroad-themed artifacts from train depots across Fulton County including tools, signals, lanterns, telegraph machines, and uniforms.
Thanks to the Swanton Area Railroad and Model Train Club, the exhibit also includes a working model train display.
Guests will love watching the Wabash and New York Central model trains travel round and round the homes, barns and shops representing a typical Fulton County landscape.
Other exhibit highlights include a playhouse switch/watch tower where kids can catch all the action on the model train display, a monumental-sized storybook about trains, and a toy train set for toddlers to enjoy.
There is a telegraph morse code game and a variety of other hands-on crafts focused on the railroad history theme.
“Guests exploring the new train exhibit will be immersed in railroad history as they meet real people from our past including postmaster Bertha Emmons, Wabash crew member Grover Merillat, telegraph operator Esther Stone, signal operator Alva Shull, and many others,” Swearingen added.
Several train-themed events are also planned throughout the year in conjunction with the opening of this new exhibit. Upcoming events with a train-theme include a Valentine’s Day Tea, Murder at the Museum – Mystery on the 20th Century Limited, Dining on the 20th Century Limited, and a Mother’s Day Tea. Additional event information can be found online at museumoffultoncounty.org/upcoming-events Event tickets are available for purchase online, at the museum, or by calling 419.337.7922.
Admission to the “All Aboard!” train exhibit is included with a general admission ticket to the museum. Admission to the Museum of Fulton County is only $8 for adults 16 and up, $7 for seniors, and $3 for children ages 6-15. Members and children under 6 are free. Museum memberships are also available for purchase online or at the museum.
The Fulton County Museum and Legacy Gift Shop are located at 8848 State Highway 108, across from the Fulton County Fairgrounds. The Museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.
To learn more about the “All Aboard!” train exhibit, memberships, special events, or how to plan a visit to the Museum of Fulton County call 419-337-7922 or visit museumoffultoncounty.org. Additional information is also available on the museum Facebook and Instagram pages.
