Trolley museum to celebrate 50th anniversary
Christie Campbell/Observer-Reporter Mr. McFeely from Mister Rogers' Neighborhood autographs a photo of himself for Kathryn McCullough, 10, of Washington, at Pennsylvania Trolley Museum Tuesday. The museum celebrates its 50th anniversary this weekend.
A trolley goes down a track Tuesday at Pennsylvania Trolley Museum.
Christie Campbell/Observer-Reporter The Wild Thing takes a ride on a trolley Tuesday with children from Once Upon a Time day care.
In 1963, the Arden Trolley Museum opened with a half mile of track and eight trolley cars, most of them in need of restoration.
This weekend, the museum, now known as the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum, celebrates its 50th anniversary with festivities that include trolley parades, tours of its display building and restoration shop, a classic car show, food and children’s activities. A special coin has been minted to celebrate the anniversary.
It was volunteer dedication that allowed the museum to thrive and grow for five decades. Last year, the venue recorded 30,000 visitors, its largest number yet.
“People really struggled down here to get this thing going,” said Bill Fronczek, president emeritus of the museum board.
Fronczek was 15 when he first began volunteering at the museum. He recounted stories of backbreaking work to build track and then having to replace overhead wires stolen by copper thieves.
After the decline of street railways, a group of trolley enthusiasts wanted to preserve the cars and memorabilia from that time. They formed the Pittsburgh Electric Railway Club on an interurban trolley line that connected Washington to Pittsburgh.
Today, that campus has grown to 25 acres with a visitor’s center, and the museum owns 50 trolleys.
“People are really discovering the museum as a fun, family destination,” executive director Scott Becker said about the surge in attendance numbers.
On Tuesday, the museum held a “shindig” with appearances by Mr. McFeely from Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood and the Wild Thing mascot.
Other events include:
• Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – “All the Streetcars you Desire”; Linda Barnicott, Pittsburgh artist; trolley parades; museum tours.
• Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Classic car show, “oldies” with DJs Fritz and Judy.
Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and $7 for children, Children younger than 3 are admitted free.
Advance tickets, including two-day passes, can be purchased online at www.patrolley.org.