History That Connects Us
A day at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museums is a full sensory experience, from the ring of the bell to the hum and shake of the trolley as it rides down the tracks. Our Museum brings a unique experience to visitors of all generations, connecting us all to the past. From the moment they arrive, our visitors enter a world of timeless memories, historic innovations, and interactive discoveries.
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This #ThrowbackThursday, we’re sharing a John Swindler photo that we believe dates to December 8, 1962 - the first day of operations at the growing Arden Trolley Museum. 1138 was the first car to run under power on that historic day, which brought us one step closer to our official opening in 1964! #history #trolley #streetcar #museum #WashingtonPA
Happy National Haiku Day! A haiku is a traditional Japanese form of poem consisting of 17 syllables, arranged in three lines written in 5-7-5 syllable structure.
Post a haiku below!
Speakeasy (noun): a place where alcoholic beverages are illegally sold, specifically: such a place during the period of prohibition in the U.S.
Prohibition is over, but you can still enjoy a Roaring `20s Speakeasy! Join us on May 16 and enjoy whiskey samplings, light refreshments, and musical entertainment while exploring our beautifully restored streetcars in the Trolley Display Building. Our antique trolleys will be also be running. Roaring `20s attire encouraged!
Visit our website in bio for tickets.
On April 23 at 7 PM, we`ll host an online Trolleyology program from Jake Mecklenborg, author of Cincinnati`s Incomplete Subway - The Complete History! Cincinnati, OH is infamously known as the home of the longest abandoned subway tunnel in the United States. Jake will present on the project’s genesis, construction, and abandonment, as well as 1930s-era proposals to convert the unused rapid transit line for use by the Cincinnati Street Railway. The presentation will include new photos and other information collected since the book’s publication in 2010. Register at link in bio for free! #subway #trolleyology #pennsylvaniatrolleymuseum #PAtrolleymuseum #cincinnati #cincinnatisubway #transit #streetcar #abandoned #ohio #history
Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is pleased to announce it received an Institutional Achievement Award today at PAMuseums annual conference in Harrisburg!
PTM is receiving special recognition for the new Welcome & Education Center. Scott Becker, Executive Director/CEO, was on hand to accept the award from Rusty Baker, PAMuseum’s Executive Director.
If you haven`t visited us in a while, plan a trip today to see this magnificent building for yourself!
It’s #MuseumMonday, which means it’s time to shine the spotlight on part of our collection: PTM 89!
Originally built by the General Electric Co. in 1953 to switch railroad freight cars at an industrial plant in eastern Pennsylvania, diesel-electric locomotive PTM 89 now performs a range of tasks on our line.
It can be used as a shop switcher (to move equipment in and out of the repair and restoration shop), as a rescue locomotive (should a trolley be stranded out on the line by any sort of electrical problem), and as a snowplow (to clear the trackage for winter operations).
While being modified and repaired, 89 received new wheels and other drive train parts, as well as an overhauled Cummins diesel engine. #museum #transit #railroad #locomotive #history
Education
The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum provides unique, exciting, and fun educational opportunities for students, educators, and life-long learners! Our museum is dedicated to sharing stories, insight, and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) themed opportunities and experiences that will bring the trolley era to life. Check out our Education page to learn about field trip opportunities, Scout workshops, summer camps, and more!
History
Take a ride into the past at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum where the trolley era is alive and well. The Museum uses daily tours, interactive exhibits, multidimensional programming, and special events throughout the year to transport visitors back in time. Our history and STEAM exhibits tell the stories of the people, places, and things that made the trolley era such an exciting and unique time to be alive!
Collection
The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum is focused on preserving and restoring our collection of antique streetcars. The Museum was founded in 1953 and has continued to conserve, preserve, and restore cars through a mostly volunteer effort. Today, we house a collection of 50 streetcars, many of which are operational and used for daily rides. Visit our Collection page to learn more about all of our different trolleys!