Organization of the Week: Whippany Railway Museum Volunteers

Every Monday, I highlight a non-profit related to history or the arts, a historical society, preservation group or friends group whose main objective is to promote the historical and artistic history of New Jersey.

This week, I am featuring the Whippany Railway Museum volunteers. Since 1985, the Whippany Railway Museum and its dedicated volunteers have been greeting children and adults alike to see, learn about, and ride trains. Maintaining a fleet of historic trains is no easy task. Volunteers must weld, saw, mix concrete, paint, sell souvenirs, punch tickets, handle crowds, and run excursions in order to preserve and restore their fleet of engines, locomotives, rail cars, and cabooses. The site includes an extensive museum that has exhibits on railroads and other forms of transportation. 

Throughout the year, the museum and its volunteers organize a number of forty-five minute excursion train rides on their historic fleet of trains. The organization is also raising funding to complete the restoration of steam locomotive 4039, originally built in 1942 for the U.S. Army. 

The Whippany Railway Museum relies on memberships, fundraising, and countless volunteers to continue its mission. For more information on programs, special events, and exhibits hosted by the Whippany Railway Museum or to become a member or volunteer, please call 973-632-7350 or visit www.whippanyrailwaymuseum.net.

If you are a member of a non-profit organization or know of one that you would like to see featured on this site, please let us know in the comments or send an e-mail to kelly@thehistorygirl.com.