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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Long before buses became symbols of the Civil Rights Movement, horse-drawn streetcar riders were already standing up for equal treatment on public transit.
For example, Elizabeth Jennings Graham took a case to court in the 1850s - a time when transit companies were private and typically operated segregated cars. Her case was decided in her favor in 1855, and it led to the desegregation of all New York City transit systems.
And in the city of New Orleans, after the initial actions and arrest of William Nichols, hundreds of African Americans came together in the Streetcar Protests of 1867. The city’s horsecars were desegregated as a result, and the city transit system remained integrated until 1902 (when state-level laws mandated segregation).
History is riddled with milestones, stories, and heroes like these who fought against inequalities aboard public transit. These are not just moments in Black history, but in American history; and it is our job as a history museum to preserve and learn from these stories.
📷: The Clay Monument, Canal Street, New Orleans. Attribution to William Henry Jackson based on listing as photo no. 8102 in Catalogue of the W.H. Jackson Views (1898). Part of the Detroit Publishing Company photograph collection (Library of Congress).
#BlackHistoryMonth #transit #trolley #streetcar #museum
WE NEED YOUR VOTE! The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum has been nominated for USA TODAY @10best Best Small Town Museum! We are humbled by this nomination and ask you to vote at the link in bio!
Vote once per day, per category, per person until Monday, February 9 at 11:59AM EST. The top 10, as ranked by USA TODAY 10BEST readers, will be announced on Wednesday, February 18th.
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, this month we’re spreading the love with a few “Guest Love” days! It’s our way of showing appreciation for our amazing guests while sharing some of the kind words and wonderful reviews you’ve left us. 💕Speaking of guest love - meet some of our favorite guests, the Bouvy family and friends! Grandpa Harry was a streetcar operator and foiled a trolley robbery in 1970, keeping all of his passengers safe AND arriving in Pittsburgh only five minutes late. His daughter surprised him with matching family shirts the day of their visit, and we were so thrilled to hear Harry`s retelling of the whole experience and how the story has been a part of the Bouvy family the past 50+ years!
LESS THAN ONE WEEK TO VOTE FOR The Pennsylvania Trolley Museum for USA TODAY @10best Best Small Town Museum! We are humbled by this nomination and ask you to vote at the link in bio!
Vote once per day, per category, per person until Monday, February 9 at 11:59AM EST. The top 10, as ranked by USA TODAY 10BEST readers, will be announced on Wednesday, February 18th.
Since February is our founding month, today’s #MuseumMonday celebrates our founding cars!
Pittsburgh Railways M1, West Penn Railways 832, and Pittsburgh Railways Co. 3756 were our first three acquisitions (in 1949, 1952, and 1953 respectively). All three also ran to Washington under their own power in 1954.
Today you can see 3756 on display in our Trolley Display Building, and (following a complete restoration effort) 832 has been regularly used for service since our 2021 operating season. We plan to restore M1 in the near future! #museum #VisitWashingtonPA #transit
Volunteer with us! ⭐️
You’re invited to our Volunteer Open House on Saturday, February 21. Learn how you can help with trolley restoration, operation, special events, and more! Also, go on a behind-the-scenes tour and practice operating a trolley!
Register for free on our website (link in bio).
#PATrolleyMuseum #VisitWashingtonPA #ThingsToDoPittsburgh #MuseumVolunteers
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!