Spring has sprung and it's time to reconnect with your colleagues - volunteers at the many Connecticut Historical Societies run only by volunteers!
Is your heritage organization run by volunteers? If so, you are welcome to join in the discussion at the CLHO's Colleague Circle for All-Volunteer History Organizations! This is an informal gathering to share news and success stories, ask questions, brainstorm solutions and combat the feelings of isolation that affect us, especially during winter in Connecticut!
Monday, May 1, 2017
Railroad Museum of New England
10 am to noon
Discussion Topic: The discussion topic of the day will be a show/tell and share of tips and techniques that you use to make your exhibits and displays look fresh and attractive. Please feel free to bring photographs, examples and any other show and tell items you might have. Want to come to simply learn? That's fine!
Registration is strongly encouraged (so we can set up enough chairs.) Free!
The discussion agenda for future meetings is set by the group, and facilitated by the host organization and CLHO staff and board members. Refreshments will be provided, and conversation will be lively. All attendees are invited to stay for a tour of the museum after the meeting. You may even bring a brown-bag lunch and stick around for further informal discussion.
This is your opportunity to meet people who face the same joys and challenges that you face every day as a leader and volunteer. We hope you can join the discussion and learn in an informal, collegial atmosphere.
About the Railroad Museum of New England
We’re a not-for-profit educational and historical organization whose mission is to tell the story of the region’s rich railroad heritage through our educational exhibits and operation of the Naugatuck Railroad.
Founded January 1968 as the Connecticut Valley Railroad Association, we are more than 500 members strong and growing. Our museum includes a diverse collection representative of New England railroading including locomotives, passenger and freight cars, and cabooses.
The original Naugatuck Railroad was chartered in 1845, and opened in 1849 between Bridgeport and Winsted, adjacent to the Naugatuck River. Changing economic climates over the years led to a number of ownership changes until regular service north of Waterbury ended in 1995.
Around the same time, after three decades of preserving and restoring New England’s railroad heritage, we were looking for a new home, and we chose Thomaston. The old Naugatuck Railroad name was restored by state charter, and the new Naugatuck Railroad was incorporated June 7, 1995 as a wholly owned subsidiary of RMNE. Our first passenger trains ran in October of 1996 and continue to be a popular attraction.
We currently operate between Thomaston and the Waterville section of Waterbury.
Our beautiful Victorian station was built in 1881 by the original Naugatuck Railroad to serve the growing community of Thomaston. Passengers last used the station in 1958, and after years of neglect the station later fell victim to a fire set by vandals in 1993.
Since operations on the new Naugatuck Railroad commenced in 1996, our volunteers have cleaned and stabilized the structure in preparation for a full restoration. With your support, we can meet our goal of restoring Thomaston as a complete and functional railroad station of the 1950s.
Our restoration shop is nearing completion after several years of planning and construction by RMNE volunteers. With two through tracks, an inspection pit, wide work areas, good lighting, full insulation and heating, this modern shop will enable restoration and maintenance work to take place year-round on our collection of vintage locomotives and cars.
