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.
@patrolleymuseum
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Today’s #ThrowbackThursday shot features Philadelphia & West Chester Traction’s car 77 (a product of J.G. Brill) making a stop at Hilltop Road during the 1960s.
The “80 cars” (as this type of car was referred to) were designed for one-man operation, equipped for high-speed running, and built with a lightweight aluminum design.
They served Philadelphia’s western suburbs for 50 years, both under the Philadelphia and West Chester Traction Company name and the eventual Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company (AKA the “Red Arrow Lines”).
77’s sister car - number 78 - was acquired by our museum in September 1982; and is currently operational and regularly enjoyed by our visitors and riders.
📷: The American Rails collection.
#history #transit #trolley #streetcar
Kids can trick or treat for free at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum when you visit on October 24th and 25th! 👻🍬🎃
Dress up in your favorite costume and collect candy from our community partners during our annual Trick or Trolley weeekend. And this year, thanks to @eqtcorp, kids ages 0-17 can participate for free!
This event is included with general admission, which also includes access to our museum exhibits and unlimited trolley rides.
This weekend will also be your last chance to see @steelcitylug’s festive fall LEGO display.
See you there!
#PennsylvaniaTrolleyMuseum #ThingsToDoPittsburgh #VisitWashingtonPA
Magic Pumpkin Trolley returns this weekend! 🎃
Join us on October 16th - 18th for some autumn fun! Go for a trolley ride through the fall forest, grow your own magic pumpkin, and see a Halloween LEGO train layout (built by @steelcitylug)!
#PennsylvaniaTrolleyMuseum #ThingsToDoPittsburgh #VisitWashingtonPA
Today’s #MuseumMonday highlight features one of the most unique parts of our collection: the Wexford Trolley Station.
This wooden interurban trolley originally served transit riders after the construction of the Pittsburgh Harmony Butler & New Castle Railway in 1908. Its interesting history includes the 23 years it was used as a freight/passenger station for the Harmony Route; its relocation to the corner of Wexford-Bayne Road and Old Perry Highway in the village of Wexford in 1931; and its 83 years’ use as a post office, antique store, craft shop, and deli.
Today the station acts as a beautifully restored exhibit, which includes the details of the building’s relocation to the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in 2015. It’s open and accessible to visitors during our operating hours! #VisitWashingtonPA #transit #history #pittsburgh
Magic Pumpkin Trolley returned to the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum this weekend!
On Friday and Saturday, visitors could ride to our pumpkin patch, plant a magic seed, take a second trolley ride through Washington’s beautiful fall scenery, and return to pick up a pumpkin that magically grew to its full size!
We also whipped up some more special magic on Sunday in light of the weather; and we grew plenty of pumpkins for visitors to pick at an indoor pumpkin patch.
Magic Pumpkin Trolley will continue on October 16th, 17th, and 18th! Join us on those dates to catch our pumpkin patch before it closes, as well as enjoy children’s holiday games, complimentary refreshments, and a fall-themed LEGO display from @steelcitylug! #VisitWashingtonPA #PumpkinPatch #Fall
#ThrowbackThursday: To the days when local #transit riders regularly climbed aboard PCCs in #Pittsburgh! This particular photo shows a 1942 car (numbered 1676) climbing Itin Street near Goehring Street, on the 5-SPRING HILL route.
📷 Photo courtesy of Edward Miller
#history #SteelCity
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!