The Railroaders Memorial Museum
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RAILROAD CITY PROGRAMS

SPECIAL EVENTS

- TOURS, LECTURES, & MORE -
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2022 EVENT HIGHLIGHT

THE AFRICAN AMERICAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL

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RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM - SATURDAY, JULY 23 - 12PM-8PM & SUNDAY, JULY 24 - 12PM-4PM

Join the Blair County African American Heritage Project and the Railroaders Memorial Museum on July 23 and 24 for the African American Heritage Festival. This family-friendly celebration will bring Black history to the community through education and entertainment. The festival will have musical concerts, dancing performances, food and vendors, education stations, and a kids corner. In addition, on Sunday, there will be a gospel fest and prayers for the community, among other fun activities and entertainment. This event is free to the visiting public. Discounted museum admission applies.

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

HISTORY AFTER HOURS: GUIDED TOURS & LECTURES

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RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM - DESIGNATED THURSDAYS - 5PM-8PM

Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum for its monthly lecture series, History After Hours, between March and November 2022. These designated Thursdays offer unique extended hours starting at 5PM. At 5:30PM, a guide will lead visitors on a personalized tour of the Museum, giving visitors full access to exhibits. At 7PM, a guest speaker will conduct a presentation. Hors d'oeuvres and beverages are included with admission. Handcrafted beers will be served by Railroad City Brewing Company throughout the evening. Attendees must be 21+ to be served and identification is required.
Wreck of the Red Arrow: Death in the Alleghenies
Thursday, March 3 - Presented By Joseph DeFrancesco

Conrail Business & Research Trains: Special Equipment
Thursday, April 7 - Presented By Brock Kerchner

Waves & Witnesses: Johnstown Flood Testimonies
Thursday, May 5 - Presented By Ranger Doug Bosley

Heading North: The Underground Railroad in PA
Thursday, July 7 (5:30PM) - Presented By Harriett Gaston

Altoona in Tune: An on the Record Portrait of a Community
Thursday, July 7 (7PM) - Presented By Dr. Jerry Zolten
Riding on a Freight Train: Pittsburgh to Harrisburg
Thursday, August 4 - Presented By Dan Cupper

Altoona Anarchy: The Labor Strikes of 1877
Thursday, September 1 - Presented By Matthew Adams

Ghostly Tales: Legends & Lore of Western PA
Thursday, October 6 - Presented By Thomas White

The Last Patrol: Community & Freedom
Thursday, November 3 - Presented By Sebastian Junger
(Lecture Tentative Based on Author Availability)

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TWILIGHT AT THE CURVE: EXTENDED BUSINESS HOURS

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WORLD FAMOUS HORSESHOE CURVE - DESIGNATED SATURDAYS - 10AM-10PM

Join the World Famous Horseshoe Curve throughout the year for Twilight at the Curve. The historic landmark will have extended hours on the following designated Saturdays: May 14, June 11, July 9, August 13, and September 10 from 10AM-10PM. Walk the illuminated stairs trackside to 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. Flashlights are recommended and telescopes are encouraged. The observation area will close at 9:30PM. The visitor center and museum store will close at 10PM.

ALTOONA AT WORK: BUILDING THE HORSESHOE CURVE

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WORLD FAMOUS HORSESHOE CURVE - SATURDAY & SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3-4 - 10AM-5PM

Join the World Famous Horseshoe Curve on Saturday and Sunday, September 3-4 for Altoona at Work: Building the Horseshoe Curve. These reenacting displays 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 Irish immigrants who built the Horseshoe Curve in the early 1850s. This event is free with the price of admission.

THE RAILFAN TOUR: ATTRACTION COMBO PACKAGE

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 RAILROADERS MUSEUM, HORSESHOE CURVE, & EVERETT RAILROAD - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 18

Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum, the World Famous Horseshoe Curve, and the Everett Railroad Company on Sunday, September 18 for The
Railfan Tour: Attraction Package. This special combo day gives railfans the opportunity to experience Central Pennsylvania railroading first hand through three local attractions! Tour the interactive Railroaders Memorial Museum, visit the World Famous Horseshoe Curve, and enjoy an excursion via the Everett Railroad Company. Their hour long train ride will take passengers from Hollidaysburg to Brookes Mills and back. Tickets are only available online.

ROBERT F. KOEHLE MEMORIAL GOLF OUTING

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SINKING VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB - FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 - 11AM-6PM

Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum in remembering a local railroader on Friday, September 30 at the 2nd Annual Robert F. Koehle Memorial Golf Outing. Koehle was employed at the Juniata Locomotive Shops in Altoona from 1974 until 2006. During that time, he worked as a sheet metal worker and welder for Penn Central, Conrail, and Norfolk Southern. Later, Bob joined several country clubs including Sinking Valley, Iron Masters, and Huntingdon. Bob passed away in 2020. Proceeds from this event go towards preserving and interpreting the legacy of Central Pennsylvania railroaders.

HAUNTED RAILS & TALES: RAILROAD CITY HORROR STORIES

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RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 15, & 22 - 6PM & 7PM

Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum on Saturdays, October 8, 15, and 22 for Haunted Rails & Tales: Railroad City Horror Stories. While on a tour of the former Master Mechanics Building, visitors will discover that the exhibits come to life at night, animated by a new haunted artifact. As dormant tableaus awaken, attendees will meet reanimated spirits, woefully entombed in the museum’s mannequins. These lingering souls will tell haunting tales of Altoona’s horrific railroading past—inspired by true events of death and dismemberment. This event is not recommended for children four and under.

TOY TRAIN SWAP MEET: EDUCATION & MERCH BOOTH

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BLAIR COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6 - 9AM-2PM

Join the Alto Model Train Museum Association (AMTMA) on Sunday, November 6 for its Toy Train Swap Meet at the Blair County Convention Center. 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 the Railroaders Memorial Museum'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.

SOLDIERS & SWITCHMEN: RAILROAD CITY AT WAR

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RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM - SATURDAY-SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12-13 - 10AM-5PM

Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum on Saturday and Sunday, November 12 and 13 for Soldiers & Switchmen: Railroad City At War. 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. This event is free with the price of admission.

PAST 2022 EVENTS

RACE IN RAILROAD CITY: CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY

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RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM - THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 17 - 5PM-9:30PM

Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum and the Blair County African American Heritage Project on Thursday, February 17 for Race in Railroad City: Celebrating Black History. This open house and read-in will be dedicated to interpreting 200 years of Black history here in Blair County. Historians and community members will recite true stories of brave individuals who overcame oppression and promoted diversity. This program benefits the Blair County African American Heritage Festival. Handcrafted beers will be served by Railroad City Brewing Company. Masks are required for this event.

TOY TRAIN SWAP MEET: EDUCATION & MERCH BOOTH

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BLAIR COUNTY CONVENTION CENTER - SUNDAY, MARCH 6 - 9AM-2PM

Join the Alto Model Train Museum Association (AMTMA) on Sunday, March 6 for its Toy Train Swap Meet at the Blair County Convention Center. 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 the Railroaders Memorial Museum'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.

RAILROAD CITY READS: STORIES & SONGS FOR KIDS

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RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM - SATURDAY, MARCH 19 - 12PM, 1PM, & 2PM

Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum and the Altoona Area Public Library on Saturday, March 19 for Railroad City Reads: Stories and Songs for Kids. Miss Kristy, from the Altoona Area Public Library, and her entertaining guest Miss Melanie, will host special railroad-themed story times throughout the day. They will read books, play songs, sing rhymes, and perform locomotive motions with any kid in attendance. Stories begin within the 2nd floor House Exhibit at 12PM, 1PM, and 2PM. We encourage families to tour the Museum before or after the readings. This event is free with the price of admission.

BLAIR COUNTY DOLLAR DAY: EXPLORING LOCAL HERITAGE

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RAILROADERS MUSEUM & HORSESHOE CURVE - SATURDAY, APRIL 9 - 10AM-5PM

Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum and the World Famous Horseshoe Curve on Saturday, April 9 for Blair County Dollar Day.  This special event allows local residents and families to explore these historical attractions for only $1 each. Blair Countians will have the opportunity to learn how the railroading industry created some of the community's most cherished civic pillars, including schools, libraries, hospitals, and other social institutions. Rediscover the past and build a deeper connection to the heritage of Railroad City. Please provide identification of residence upon entrance.

PENN STATE HISTORY ENCAMPMENT: INFO BOOTH

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PENN STATE ALTOONA CAMPUS - FRIDAY, APRIL 15 - 10AM-4PM

Join the Penn State Altoona History Department and History Society on Friday, April 15 for their annual History Encampment. A military timeline will showcase living historians, period equipment, weapons, and other wartime artifacts, including from the American Revolution to the present. Reenactors will be conducting informal programs for students throughout the day. The Railroaders Memorial Museum will operate a booth discussing rail travel during each American conflict. This event is free, open to the general public, and will be taking place on the lawns outside the Hawthorn Building.

ALTOONA CURVE BASEBALL: JERSEY FUNDRAISER

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PEOPLE'S NATURAL GAS FIELD - SATURDAY, JUNE 18 - BIDDING ENDS AT 8PM

Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum and Altoona Curve Baseball on Saturday, June 18 for Hockey Night. This local, minor league team will be sporting retro jerseys and baseball caps. This apparel, both game-worn and autographed, will be sold at auction. Numerous bids can be placed both in-person at Peoples Natural Gas Field or online via the phone application, LiveSource. Proceeds from this baseball jersey fundraiser benefit the Railroaders Memorial Museum, the World Famous Horseshoe Curve, and their educational mission to preserve and interpret the legacy of railroaders.

VISIT  OUR  HISTORIC  ATTRACTIONS

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RAILROADERS  MEMORIAL  MUSEUM

ADDRESS:
1200 Ninth Avenue,
Altoona, PA  16602


HOURS: Wednesday-Sunday, 10AM-5PM
PHONE: (814) 946-0834

WORLD  FAMOUS  HORSESHOE  CURVE

ADDRESS:
2400 Veterans Memorial Highway,
Altoona, PA  16601

HOURS: Wednesday-Sunday, 10AM-5PM
PHONE: (814) 941-7743

CONTACT  US

EMAIL: info@railroadcity.org
Copyright © 2022 Railroaders Heritage Corporation

All Rights Reserved  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Use
​Railroaders Heritage Corporation, DBA, Railroaders Memorial Museum, is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. These attractions are not state or federally operated and need your support. 
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  • Home
  • About
    • Museum Mission
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Career Opportunities
  • Sites
    • The Railroaders Memorial Museum
    • The World Famous Horseshoe Curve
  • K4 1361
    • History & Technology
    • Restoration & Vision
  • Events
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Join
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