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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#FlashbackFriday: To the days when open cars ran in Philadelphia.
This particular photo from the Library Company of Philadelphia digital collection shows two Electric Traction Company open bench cars in South Philly in 1898. Car 901 was destined for Mifflin Street while car 1005 was set to run on the Jackson Street route in South Philadelphia.
Note the car advertisements for a performance at Willow Grove Park - a trolley park run by the local transit companies at that time! #history #transit #trolley #streetcar #philadephia
Today we honor Juneteenth, officially Juneteenth National Independence Day. The holiday marks when the last enslaved people in the United States learned they were free — more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
At the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, our mission is to preserve and share the stories of transportation history. But history is more than rails and vehicles; it’s about people, their journeys, and their progress. Today, we pause to recognize the significance of June 19, 1865 - a date that reminds us to remember all of our nation’s history, from our triumphs to our failures. #Juneteenth #FreedomDay
You`re invited to a behind-the-scenes Museum tour on June 25!
Join us at 1 PM for a special look at our maintenance and restoration shop, car barn, and Artifact Preservation Building. Learn all about how PTM volunteers bring trolley history to life with their hard work and preservation skills.
Tickets are $25 and include museum admission. Museum members may purchase tickets for the tour for $5. To read more and get your tickets, visit our website (link in bio).
#PATrolleyMuseum #VisitWashingtonPA #ThingsToDoPittsburgh #MuseumVolunteers
This #MuseumMonday we’re shining the spotlight on a handful of our very own work cars! Last weekend these cars (and more!) paraded down Volunteer Boulevard during our annual Anything On Wheels event. Historically, work cars were essential pieces of equipment for transit companies. Today they’re still an indispensable tool, and they’re used to keep our own operations and campus development on track! #history #transit #trolley #streetcar #museum
Join the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum for a special look behind the scenes!
These tours are offered only a few times per year, so don’t miss this chance to visit several of our non-public spaces, including the maintenance and restoration shop, car barn, and Artifact Preservation Building! Each tour will vary slightly depending on the interests of our volunteer tour guides and the current projects being completed.
Tickets are $25, include museum admission, and are valid all day if you choose to visit the museum prior to the tour. Museum members may purchase tickets for the tour for $5. Visit our website (link in bio) to learn more and get your tickets.
🌊 Splash into summer for Trolley Tots, happening next Thursday, June 19th from 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM! This month, it`s all about ships, boats, and things that float!
⛵️ 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! Space is limited, so advance purchase is recommended! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
🛶 For more information and to register, please visit our website: https://pa-trolley.org/event/trolley-tots/2025-06-19/
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!