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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Hop on over for a spring-tastic time at Bunny Trolley! 🐰🌼🐣
Hunt for giant eggs hidden along the landscape on a trolley ride, enjoy a festive snack and craft, and meet the Easter Bunny himself! Also, pet live rabbits with the Four-Leaf 4-H Club.
This year`s event runs on March 27-29 and April 3-4. Tickets are on sale now on our website (link in bio),
#VisitWashingtonPA #PATrolleyMuseum #ThingsToDoPittsburgh
Today’s #BlackHistoryMonth story highlights how employees in transit - not just riders - faced inequities throughout history.
In 1944, the Philadelphia Transportation Company (PTC) hired eight African American men as motormen and conductors during a labor shortage (caused when men went to serve in World War II).
White transit employees went on strike on August 1st, refusing to work with the new hires. The strike brought transit in Philadelphia to a halt, which in turn halted any related war support and productions.
In response, on August 3, 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt authorized his Secretary of War to take control of the PTC; and Major-General Philip Hayes was put in charge of the PTC’s operations. Hayes issued an ultimatum that any workers continuing to strike would be sent to the Army, or fired and denied job availability certificates by the War Manpower Commission, dependent on the age of the worker.
The ultimatum worked - it’s said that work attendance at the PTC was never higher. An armed soldier was also posted on every streetcar, bus, subway, and El car. These troops stayed in Philadelphia until the 17th, when training had ended for the eight African American hires.
📷 (1): Former musician James Stewart is trained by William Poisell. Stewart is the first African American to be trained as an operator of trolley cars. Courtesy of Philadelphia PA: Temple University Libraries.
📷 (2): Members of the Army’s Signal Corp post notices of the War Department’s seizure of the PTC fleet on Philadelphia’s trolleys.
#transit #trolley #streetcar #history
There`s still time to register for our Volunteer Open House this Saturday! ✨
At this free event you can try trolley operation, see our Maintenance & Restoration shop, and learn how you can join our team. Our volunteers operate historic streetcars, educate groups, help with special events, and do so much more. There`s something for everyone to enjoy!
Sign up on our website (link in bio).
#PATrolleyMuseum #VisitWashingtonPA #MuseumVolunteers #ThingsToDoPittsburgh
America`s BEST Small Town Museum - Pennsylvania Trolley Museum! Thanks to each and every voter, PTM has earned first place of the Best Small Town Museums in America by USA Today 10Best. We are honored by this national recognition and look forward to continuing to provide best-in-class experiences to all visitors!
Join us the third Thursday of each month for Trolley Tots! Trolley Tots is designed for early learners (children ages 2-5) and one accompanying adult to discover different types of transportation through sensory play, stories, crafts, music, and getting up-close with the vehicle of the month. This month, we`re going underground and exploring subways!
Sign up on our website: https://pa-trolley.org/event/trolley-tots-5/2026-02-19/
Today’s #MuseumMonday spotlight is an important one to share during #BlackHistoryMonth. It involves New Orleans Public Service (NOPSI) 832, a car in our collection that was built in 1922.
Historically, protests in 1867 ended segregation in the city of New Orleans; however the Supreme Court’s ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson mandated segregation across Louisiana in 1902, overruling the city’s decision.
Because NOPSI 832 was built after 1902, its seats were built to accommodate movable signs dictating where riders of different races could and could not sit.
While our museum will never display such a sign on 832, we have preserved this car as it ran in service, in the interest of remembering even the most unfortunate aspects of America’s #Trolley Era. #streetcar #history
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!