UPCOMING 2021 EVENTS
K4 CHRISTMAS: RAILROAD CITY HOLIDAYS
RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM - SATURDAYS, DECEMBER 4, 11, 18 - 5PM-7PM
Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum on Saturdays in December for a K4 Christmas. These family-friendly evenings will consist of a decorated museum! A tree lighting will launch each night. Families and children can visit Santa Claus for photos. Cookies and warm beverages will be available to attendees throughout the night. Visitors can perform any last minute holiday shopping in our museum store and participate in Toys for Tots. Discounts are available for anyone who donates a toy. On December 11, the Altoona Area Public Library will host a Christmas story time at 5:30PM, 6PM, and 6:30PM. On December 11 & 18, proceeds from professional $5 Santa photos will go towards the African American Heritage Festival scheduled for July 2022.
Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum on Saturdays in December for a K4 Christmas. These family-friendly evenings will consist of a decorated museum! A tree lighting will launch each night. Families and children can visit Santa Claus for photos. Cookies and warm beverages will be available to attendees throughout the night. Visitors can perform any last minute holiday shopping in our museum store and participate in Toys for Tots. Discounts are available for anyone who donates a toy. On December 11, the Altoona Area Public Library will host a Christmas story time at 5:30PM, 6PM, and 6:30PM. On December 11 & 18, proceeds from professional $5 Santa photos will go towards the African American Heritage Festival scheduled for July 2022.
PAST 2021 EVENTS
SOLDIERS & SWITCHMEN: RAILROAD CITY AT WAR
RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM - SATURDAY-SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13-14 - 10AM-5PM
Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum on Saturday and Sunday, November 13 and 14 for Soldiers & Switchmen. This unique event will consist of living historians portraying and interpreting different American conflicts and how rail travel was involved in each. Quality displays will be found scattered throughout the immersive environments of the Railroaders Memorial Museum. Coinciding with the thematic and chronological elements of exhibits, each historian will appear in authentic attire pertinent to a certain wartime era, ranging from the Mexican War through the Vietnam War.
Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum on Saturday and Sunday, November 13 and 14 for Soldiers & Switchmen. This unique event will consist of living historians portraying and interpreting different American conflicts and how rail travel was involved in each. Quality displays will be found scattered throughout the immersive environments of the Railroaders Memorial Museum. Coinciding with the thematic and chronological elements of exhibits, each historian will appear in authentic attire pertinent to a certain wartime era, ranging from the Mexican War through the Vietnam War.
TOY TRAIN SWAP MEET: EDUCATIONAL BOOTH
BLAIR COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 7 - 9AM-2PM
Join the Alto Model Train Museum Association (AMTMA) on Sunday, November 7 at the Blair County Convention Center for its annual Toy Train Swap Meet. The venue showcases the newest models from manufacturers and also permits enthusiasts to complete older collections. This unique event benefits the Alto Model Train Museum, one of our organization's many community partners. Staff members from the Railroaders Memorial Museum will operate a booth consisting of reading materials, educational activities, and museum merchandise for railfans and model railroaders of all ages.
Join the Alto Model Train Museum Association (AMTMA) on Sunday, November 7 at the Blair County Convention Center for its annual Toy Train Swap Meet. The venue showcases the newest models from manufacturers and also permits enthusiasts to complete older collections. This unique event benefits the Alto Model Train Museum, one of our organization's many community partners. Staff members from the Railroaders Memorial Museum will operate a booth consisting of reading materials, educational activities, and museum merchandise for railfans and model railroaders of all ages.
HISTORY AFTER HOURS: GUIDED TOUR & LECTURE
RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4 - 5:30PM-8:30PM
Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum and Railroad City Brewing Company on Thursday, November 4 for their History After Hours program. This unique event offers extended evening hours starting at 5:30PM. At 6PM, a historian will lead visitors on a guided tour of the Museum, giving attendees full access to exhibits. At 7:30PM, Jake Wynn, a historian from the Museum of Civil War Medicine, will conduct a presentation about how the nation's railroads were utilized for medical use. Beverages (included with admission) will be served by Railroad City Brewing Company throughout the night.
Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum and Railroad City Brewing Company on Thursday, November 4 for their History After Hours program. This unique event offers extended evening hours starting at 5:30PM. At 6PM, a historian will lead visitors on a guided tour of the Museum, giving attendees full access to exhibits. At 7:30PM, Jake Wynn, a historian from the Museum of Civil War Medicine, will conduct a presentation about how the nation's railroads were utilized for medical use. Beverages (included with admission) will be served by Railroad City Brewing Company throughout the night.
HAUNTED RAILS & TALES: RAILROAD CITY HORROR STORIES
RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30 - 6PM, 7PM, 8PM, 9PM
Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum on Saturday, October 30 for Haunted Rails & Tales: Railroad City Horror Stories. While roaming the former Master Mechanics Building at night, visitors will learn about Altoona’s dark railroading past. Inspired by true events of death, dismemberment, and mayhem on the Pennsylvania Railroad, these tours will share ghost stories of Railroad City as told by local historian Jared Frederick and museum volunteer Morey Lawruk. Come explore the haunted halls of history on this unique and chilling after-hours tour. This event is recommended for ages five and up.
Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum on Saturday, October 30 for Haunted Rails & Tales: Railroad City Horror Stories. While roaming the former Master Mechanics Building at night, visitors will learn about Altoona’s dark railroading past. Inspired by true events of death, dismemberment, and mayhem on the Pennsylvania Railroad, these tours will share ghost stories of Railroad City as told by local historian Jared Frederick and museum volunteer Morey Lawruk. Come explore the haunted halls of history on this unique and chilling after-hours tour. This event is recommended for ages five and up.
HISTORY AFTER HOURS: GUIDED TOUR & LECTURE
RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7 - 5:30PM-8:30PM
Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum and Railroad City Brewing Company on Thursday, October 7 for their History After Hours program. This unique event offers extended evening hours starting at 5:30PM. At 6PM, a historian will lead visitors on a guided tour of the Museum, giving attendees full access to exhibits. At 7:30PM, Ken Kobus, a member of the PRR Technical & Historical Society, will conduct a presentation about the railroad, featuring photographs from his own collection. Beverages (included with admission) will be served by Railroad City Brewing Company throughout the night.
Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum and Railroad City Brewing Company on Thursday, October 7 for their History After Hours program. This unique event offers extended evening hours starting at 5:30PM. At 6PM, a historian will lead visitors on a guided tour of the Museum, giving attendees full access to exhibits. At 7:30PM, Ken Kobus, a member of the PRR Technical & Historical Society, will conduct a presentation about the railroad, featuring photographs from his own collection. Beverages (included with admission) will be served by Railroad City Brewing Company throughout the night.
ROBERT F. KOEHLE MEMORIAL GOLF OUTING
SINKING VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB - FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1 - 11AM
Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum and Sinking Valley Country Club in remembering a local railroader and golfer. Robert F. Koehle was employed at the Juniata Locomotive Shops in Altoona from 1974 until 2006. During that time, Koehle worked as a sheet metal worker and welder for Penn Central, Conrail, and Norfolk Southern. As a golfer, Bob joined several country clubs including Sinking Valley, Iron Masters, and Huntingdon. Bob passed away in December 2020 due to COVID-19. Proceeds from this golf outing will go to preserving and interpreting the legacy of Central Pennsylvania railroaders.
Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum and Sinking Valley Country Club in remembering a local railroader and golfer. Robert F. Koehle was employed at the Juniata Locomotive Shops in Altoona from 1974 until 2006. During that time, Koehle worked as a sheet metal worker and welder for Penn Central, Conrail, and Norfolk Southern. As a golfer, Bob joined several country clubs including Sinking Valley, Iron Masters, and Huntingdon. Bob passed away in December 2020 due to COVID-19. Proceeds from this golf outing will go to preserving and interpreting the legacy of Central Pennsylvania railroaders.
TWILIGHT AT THE CURVE: EXTENDED NIGHT HOURS
WORLD FAMOUS HORSESHOE CURVE - FRIDAY, AUGUST 6 & 20 AND SEPTEMBER 3 & 17 - 10AM-10PM
Join the World Famous Horseshoe Curve every other Friday in August and September for extended business hours. The historic landmark will be open on August 6 & 20 and September 3 & 17 from 10AM-10PM. Walk the illuminated steps to trackside and enjoy a night under the stars! Bring a date for a romantic evening picnic, star gaze with family and friends, or snap photos of passing trains, including Amtrak! Flashlights are recommended and telescopes are encouraged! The trackside observation area will close at 9:30PM. The visitor center and museum store will close at 10PM.
Join the World Famous Horseshoe Curve every other Friday in August and September for extended business hours. The historic landmark will be open on August 6 & 20 and September 3 & 17 from 10AM-10PM. Walk the illuminated steps to trackside and enjoy a night under the stars! Bring a date for a romantic evening picnic, star gaze with family and friends, or snap photos of passing trains, including Amtrak! Flashlights are recommended and telescopes are encouraged! The trackside observation area will close at 9:30PM. The visitor center and museum store will close at 10PM.
ALTOONA AT WORK: LABOR DAY WEEKEND AT THE CURVE
WORLD FAMOUS HORSESHOE CURVE - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 - 10AM-5PM
Join living historians on Sunday, September 5 for reenacting displays and presentations at the World Famous Horseshoe Curve. These heritage talks (located trackside) will present a comprehensive history of the engineering landmark, including details about its strenuous construction, monumental events of its past, and its status as a world-renowned tourist destination. Reenactors will provide hands-on interpretation and educational programs throughout the day by portraying the hardworking immigrants who built the Curve in the early 1850s. This event is free with the price of admission.
Join living historians on Sunday, September 5 for reenacting displays and presentations at the World Famous Horseshoe Curve. These heritage talks (located trackside) will present a comprehensive history of the engineering landmark, including details about its strenuous construction, monumental events of its past, and its status as a world-renowned tourist destination. Reenactors will provide hands-on interpretation and educational programs throughout the day by portraying the hardworking immigrants who built the Curve in the early 1850s. This event is free with the price of admission.
HISTORY AFTER HOURS: GUIDED TOUR & LECTURE
RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 - 5:30PM-8:30PM
Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum and Railroad City Brewing Company on Thursday, September 2 for their History After Hours program. This unique event offers extended evening hours starting at 5:30PM. At 6PM, a historian will lead visitors on a guided tour of the Museum, giving attendees full access to exhibits. At 7:30PM, Ryan Brown, author of Pittsburgh and the Great Steel Strike of 1919, will conduct a presentation about labor and strikes, featuring content from his recent book. Beverages (included with admission) will be served by Railroad City Brewing Company throughout the night.
Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum and Railroad City Brewing Company on Thursday, September 2 for their History After Hours program. This unique event offers extended evening hours starting at 5:30PM. At 6PM, a historian will lead visitors on a guided tour of the Museum, giving attendees full access to exhibits. At 7:30PM, Ryan Brown, author of Pittsburgh and the Great Steel Strike of 1919, will conduct a presentation about labor and strikes, featuring content from his recent book. Beverages (included with admission) will be served by Railroad City Brewing Company throughout the night.
HISTORY AFTER HOURS: GUIDED TOUR & LECTURE
RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM - THURSDAY, AUGUST 5TH - 5:30PM-8:30PM
Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum and Railroad City Brewing Company on Thursday, August 5 for their History After Hours program. This unique event offers extended evening hours starting at 5:30PM. At 6PM, a historian will lead visitors on a guided tour of the Museum, giving attendees full access to exhibits. At 7PM, museum curator Andrew Brumbaugh will conduct a presentation about the Museum's collections, featuring never-before-seen artifacts from the archives. Beverages (included with admission) will be served by Railroad City Brewing Company throughout the night.
Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum and Railroad City Brewing Company on Thursday, August 5 for their History After Hours program. This unique event offers extended evening hours starting at 5:30PM. At 6PM, a historian will lead visitors on a guided tour of the Museum, giving attendees full access to exhibits. At 7PM, museum curator Andrew Brumbaugh will conduct a presentation about the Museum's collections, featuring never-before-seen artifacts from the archives. Beverages (included with admission) will be served by Railroad City Brewing Company throughout the night.
OLD TYME BASEBALL DAY: AUCTION & EDUCATION BOOTH
PEOPLE'S NATURAL GAS FIELD - SUNDAY, AUGUST 1ST - 6PM-8PM
Join Altoona Curve Baseball and the Railroaders Memorial Museum on Sunday, August 1 for Old Tyme Baseball Day. The minor league team will be sporting old tyme baseball jerseys and hats to highlight Altoona’s baseball history and railroad heritage. These vintage jerseys, both game-worn and autographed, will be sold at auction. Bids can be placed both at the park and online via LiveSource. All proceeds from the auction are presented to the Railroaders Memorial Museum. Visit our educational booth located on the main concourse and stick around for post-game ragtime fireworks!
Join Altoona Curve Baseball and the Railroaders Memorial Museum on Sunday, August 1 for Old Tyme Baseball Day. The minor league team will be sporting old tyme baseball jerseys and hats to highlight Altoona’s baseball history and railroad heritage. These vintage jerseys, both game-worn and autographed, will be sold at auction. Bids can be placed both at the park and online via LiveSource. All proceeds from the auction are presented to the Railroaders Memorial Museum. Visit our educational booth located on the main concourse and stick around for post-game ragtime fireworks!
RAILROAD CITY READS: STORIES & SONGS FOR KIDS
RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM - SATURDAY, JULY 31ST - 12PM, 1PM, 2PM, 3PM
Join the Altoona Area Public Library and the Railroaders Memorial Museum on Saturday, July 31 for a very special railroad-themed story time full of books, songs, rhymes, and more! Miss Kristy, from the Altoona Area Public Library, and her entertaining guest Miss Melanie, will read books and sing songs to any youngster in attendance. We encourage families to tour the Museum before or after the event. Stories begin on the hour at 12PM, 1PM, 2PM, and 3PM. Rates are Adult (12-64): $12, Senior (65+): $10, Youth (4-11): $9, Toddler (3 & Under): Free. This event is free with the price of admission.
Join the Altoona Area Public Library and the Railroaders Memorial Museum on Saturday, July 31 for a very special railroad-themed story time full of books, songs, rhymes, and more! Miss Kristy, from the Altoona Area Public Library, and her entertaining guest Miss Melanie, will read books and sing songs to any youngster in attendance. We encourage families to tour the Museum before or after the event. Stories begin on the hour at 12PM, 1PM, 2PM, and 3PM. Rates are Adult (12-64): $12, Senior (65+): $10, Youth (4-11): $9, Toddler (3 & Under): Free. This event is free with the price of admission.
