Wauseon, OH – The Museum of Fulton County’s All Aboard! Train Exhibit was one of six exhibits in the state to receive an Outstanding Achievement Award presented by the Ohio Local History Alliance (OHLA) at its annual fall meeting.
Since 1960, the OHLA, in partnership with the Ohio History Connection, has led the state in recognizing excellent projects, programs, and publications created by Ohio historical societies and museums.
At their meeting in Westerville, Ohio, OLHA presented 15 Outstanding Achievement Awards to organizations and individuals who have inspired, connected, and educated their audiences in Ohio.
“It is such an honor to have our All Aboard! Train Exhibit recognized by museum professionals as a top exhibit in Ohio,” shared John Swearingen, Jr., director of the Museum of Fulton County. “The OHLA History Outreach Awards recognize projects that have educational content, have contributed to the understanding of local and state history, and have an impact on the community.”
“We are thrilled our train exhibit was recognized as a project that has inspired, connected, and educated our audience to local history.”
Located in the Worthington Gallery at the museum, this temporary exhibit allows guests to journey back in time to explore the history of trains in this region. The interactive exhibit features train and depot artifacts, model trains, and hands-on activities focused on the people who worked on and around the railroad.
The 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.
Other exhibit highlights include a telegraph morse code game, 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.
“Since 1852, electric trollies, steam, and diesel engines have crisscrossed the county and helped each village to thrive,” Swearingen shared. “Our train exhibit shares 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 also tell stories of local people involved with the railroad including passengers, depot employees, and community members.”
The All Aboard! train exhibit will remain open at the museum through spring 2025 and will then move to the Wauseon Depot. Admission to the All Aboard! train exhibit as well as the museum’s new exhibit
“We the People of Fulton County” 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 museum exhibits, 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’s Facebook and Instagram pages.