Two events this week highlight the Railroad Historical Museum in Grant Beach Park.
The museum hosts a dedication and ribbon cutting for the new Max Jahn Depot Tuesday, April 25, 10 a.m. The depot, a replica of rural Missouri railroad offices from the early 1900s, is named for longtime museum volunteer, Max Jahn. The dedication is organized by the Musgrave Foundation, which provided a grant for the construction project, along with multiple private donors and contributors.
The grand opening of the depot takes place Saturday, April 29, noon-4 p.m., with free admission and guided tours of the depot and museum, along with kids crafts and train-based stories presented by the Springfield-Greene County Library District.
Saturday’s event marks the seasonal reopening of the museum, which is open Saturdays, 2-4 p.m., May through October. Admission is always free.
The Railroad Historical Museum is dedicated to the preservation of the Frisco and other railroad history. The nonprofit museum is staffed and operated entirely by volunteers. The bulk of the museum is inside four antique train cars, including a 1943-era Frisco Locomotive No. 4524, installed at Grant Beach Park in 1953. The museum also includes a Burlington Baggage Car, a Chicago and Northwestern Bilevel Commuter Car and a Burlington Northern Caboose. All cars are connected and full of photos and artifacts.
The Railroad Historical Museum is located on the southeast corner of Grant Beach Park, 1300 N. Grant Ave., Springfield.
For more information on the Railroad Historical Museum, call 417-833-0994, or visit Railroad Historical Museum online.