National Railroad Museum - History

History

The origin of the National Railroad Museum dates to 1956, when local residents advanced the concept of a national museum dedicated to American railroad history. Two years later, a joint resolution of Congress recognized the museum as the National Railroad Museum. Since then, the museum has operated as a privately funded 501(c)(3) educational organization with a mission to foster an understanding of railroading and its significance to American Life. What began as an effort to acquire a single steam locomotive for a city park has grown into one of the largest railroad museums in the nation. It now serves over 75,000 visitors annually. Today, a professional staff of 12 and more than 100 unpaid staff members welcome visitors from all over the world.

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