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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July 17: Trolley rides are suspended due to poor air quality. The museum remains OPEN with $5 off admission.
#ThrowbackThursday: To the days when streetcars still ran in Washington! This particular photo features two Pittsburgh Railways cars (4384 and 4379) on Jefferson Street.
For more than 40 years, “yellow cars” like these were the trademark of the Pittsburgh Railways #transit system. (These cars are technically known as the P.N. Jones low floor cars - but that’s not what the locals called them!)
More than 1,000 cars of this type were built for service in #Pittsburgh between 1910 until 1926. Today, only two cars survive - and both are here at the Pennsylvania #Trolley #Museum.
On this day in 1926, Philadelphia Rapid Transit launched PRT Air Service - one of the earliest scheduled passenger airlines in the country.
"Streetcars to the Skies" tells the story of this brief moment in transit history 100 years ago - on display through the end of the year!
It`s never too early to start planning for next year! 2027 Western Pennsylvania Trolley Calendars are now available in-store and online at the PTM Store. Featuring a selection of historic streetcar photos, grab one today!
Last month we hosted several historic trolley parades during our Anything On Wheels event! Today’s #MuseumMonday update highlights the eight Pittsburgh cars in our collection that rolled down Volunteer Boulevard during the first parade of the day:
🚋 Pittsburgh Railways Co. 4145
🚋 Pittsburgh Railways Co. 4398
🚋 Pittsburgh Railways Co. 3756
🚋 West Penn Railways 832
🚋 Pittsburgh Railways Co. 1138
🚋 Pittsburgh Railways Co. 1711
🚋 Pittsburgh Railways Co. / PATransit 1713
🚋 PATransit 4004
Anything On Wheels is the perfect time to see these cars and more moving under their own power at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. Stay tuned for more highlights from the parades during the next few weeks!
#FlashbackFriday: To the days when many students took a trolley to their classes, including at the University of Pittsburgh.
This photo - dated August 1939 - shows a busy day on Fifth Avenue in Oakland. In the background of this photo are the Mellon Institute, Heinz Memorial Chapel, and Bellefield Avenue.
Transit traffic that summer was also affected by crews working to widen Fifth Avenue from University Place to Neville Street. During construction, transit riders and drivers alike regularly encountered a myriad of issues, from closed streets to torn up #streetcar tracks to damaged pavement! #history #pittsburgh #transit
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!