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
Follow us to stay up-to-date on museum news!
On Sunday, November 3, join us for our new event: Afternoon with an Artist!
At 1PM and 2PM, local artist @lbarnicott will give an artist talk about her paintings of Pittsburgh and its trolleys! Stick around afterwards for a Q&A session, print signing, and opportunities to purchase both holiday and regular keepsakes featuring her artwork.
This event is included with regular admission to the museum. Learn more about Linda Barnicott and this event on our website (link in bio).
The following paintings are featured in this post:
“Meet Me Under Kaufmann’s Clock, Too!”
“Holiday Greetings from My Hometown”
“Pickle Me Pittsburgh”
“Pittsburgh at First Light”
“Pittsburgh’s Tunnel Vision”
#patrolleymuseum #thingstodoinpittsburgh #streetcarhistory
On October 26 and 27, our Trolley Display Building will become home to our annual Trick or Trolley event!
Are you a business or organization that would like to run a trick-or-treat station at the Museum? If you are, please email volunteer@patrolley.org to learn how to participate.
We can’t wait to welcome children, parents, and all of our community partners to this general admission event! Learn more about it on our website (link in bio).
#patrolleymuseum #fallinpittsburgh #washingtonpa
#ThrowbackThursday: To a day of transit service in the fall of 1981! When Ralph Curcio took this photo he captured Red Arrow Lines 5, a Brilliner car, running along the western end of the Media line. Originally purchased by Red Arrow itself, car 5 ran in-service even into the SEPTA years (hence the “Gulf Oil” paint scheme in this photo).
In 1982 - the year after this photo was taken - car 5 was acquired by the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum (then the Arden Trolley Museum). Currently the car is safely stored indoors. #museum #transit #trolley #streetcar #history #philadelphia
This Saturday, the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum will be at the @riversofsteel Festival of Combustion at the Carrie Blast Furnaces!
Stop by our table to test your skills at circuit building and learn about what makes trolleys go. You’ll also get to see metalworking demos, explore craft and food vendors, hear live music, and more! Tickets are $20 in advance, and kids under 18 are free.
#PATrolleyMuseum #ThingsToDoPittsburgh #PittsburghHistory #PittsburghThingsToDo
We`re grateful to the Heritage Rail Alliance for recognizing the work of three different Pennsylvania Trolley Museum projects and people at its annual conference in Springdale, Arkansas last week!
Our new Welcome & Education Center received The Significant Achievement Award in the Infrastructure category.
PTM and its Next Generation Committee of young staff and volunteers under 30 received The William Purdie Award for Youth Involvement.
And finally, Executive Director and CEO, Scott Becker, received the Lifetime Achievement Award!
This #MuseumMonday we’re highlighting the “lived in” cars in our collection!
As transit companies began using buses and Americans began buying automobiles, many streetcars were scrapped; however others were repurposed by homeowners or renters, which allowed the car bodies to survive.
Next time you visit, pay extra attention to our “lived in” fleet:
- Recently acquired Shamokin and Mount Carmel Electric Railway Co. car 33 was converted into a cottage at Knoebels Amusement Resort. (Note that at this time, this car is in storage and not on display.)
- Jersey Shore & Antes Fort Railroad 3 was fashioned into a hunting cabin (which was unfortunately damaged by Hurricane Agnes).
- Monongahela West Penn 274 was used for more than three decades as a summer cottage.
- West Penn Railways 739 spent 36 years as a home near Jeannette before coming to the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum in 1989. #history #transit #trolley #streetcar #museum #VisitWashingtonPA
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!