Join us at the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum for a weekend of vintage communications! This event highlights the communications technology of the trolley era. Our regular admission rates are $20 for adults, $19 for seniors, and $15 for children 3-18. Children under 3 are free. Admission includes access to the event, the museum and its exhibits, the Trolley Display Building, and rides on vintage, restored trolleys.

What to See

• Local amateur radio clubs will be setting up a special event station and inviting visitors to explore the historic (and modern!) world of ham radio. Test out your Morse code skills on a practice key!
• Typewriter enthusiasts are invited to display their machines and to set up machines the public can use! We’ll have over two dozen machines as part of the event. The museum will host buy/sell/trade tables as well. Type a letter to send in the mail and test out the different fonts and feelings of these classic machines
• You’ve heard of a printing press – now’s your chance to test one out! Wayne and Nancy Young from the print shop in Portersville will be sharing and demonstrating their printing press
• See (and hear!) a collection of working antique radios – local collector Ben Costello will showcase his collection of Catalin tabletop radios, similar to the Bakelite radios
• On Saturday only, see a WWII-era Jeep with a back seat command set radio
• Experience the sounds of a Victrola and observe the bells of antique phonographs
• See a selection of antique telephones through the ages from the collection of Dave Grill

Also Invited:

Do you collect a particular mode or method of vintage communication? Please reach out to Kristen at kfred@patrolley.org if you’d be willing to share/display/showcase your…

• antique radios
• antique telephones
• antique televisions
• vintage cameras
• newspapers
• recording or broadcasting equipment
• …and other types of communication!

Or, let us know you’re interested in attending or exhibiting here! Exhibitors who register in advance are eligible for free or reduced admission.

More Information about our Exhibitors:

Printing Press: Come see the Steam Show Print Shop from the Northwest PA Steam Engine and Old Equipment Association! We will be demonstrating how hand-set type was used in the 1700s to the mid 1900s. Books, magazines, newspapers, wedding invitations, and other printed materials were created using this technique. Print your own souvenir on our Kelsey table top press!

Amateur Radio: WA3COM is coordinating and organizing the amateur radio communications for this event, including the special event station. The station’s call sign is W3T – ham radio operators are encouraged to work us on the air! Visitors can see a functioning amateur radio station, and an amateur radio operator will help you try to make a radio call! Representatives from the Washington Amateur Communications (WA3COM) and Steel City Amateur Radio Club (W3KWH) will be on hand to answer all of your ham radio-related questions! Modes demonstrated will include CW (Morse code), SSB (phone), and FT8 (digital).

Jeep Command Set Radio: Volunteer Don Grimm will exhibit his WWII-era Jeep and the SCR-506-A – a medium-power AM set designed for installation in tanks, amphibian trucks, personnel carriers, and other vehicles to provide continuous wave (CW) and voice communication from one vehicle to another or between these vehicles and airplanes or base stations. Saturday only!

Typewriters: Enthusiasts from around the region will be bringing more than two dozen typewriters – some for display-only, some for the public to use, and some for selling! If you’ve had a typewriter in your house for a long time and you’re wondering what to do to fix it, feel free to bring it in – experts will be on site!

Hotel Info

• This year, we’re working with HomeTowne Studios & Suites Washington by Red Roof at 2110 N Franklin Dr, Washington, PA 15301. Call the hotel front desk at (724) 884-0299 and mention the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum to receive the discounted rate of $69.89 plus tax (Sunday-Thursday) and $82.89 plus tax (Fridays and Saturdays). Jacuzzi rooms available for $15 upgrade! Rate is valid all of 2024. Rooms include a free breakfast and free parking.
• Special rates for museum-goers are also available at the Quality Inn & Suites (501 Racetrack Rd in Washington, PA) (formerly Microtel). Phone (724) 705-7676. Rates vary by season but are typically $60-$75 per night plus tax – mention the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum when asking about special rates.
• There are many other hotels nearby along Racetrack Road within 10 minutes of the Museum and elsewhere in Washington, PA within a 15 minute drive.