2021 EVENT & PROGRAM SCHEDULE
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.
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!
HISTORY AFTER HOURS: GUIDED TOUR & LECTURE
RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM - THURSDAY, AUGUST 5TH - 5:30PM-8PM
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 when the Museum re-opens its doors at 5:30PM. At 6PM, an historian will lead visitors on a guided tour of the Museum, giving attendees full access to exhibits. At 7PM, 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.
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 when the Museum re-opens its doors at 5:30PM. At 6PM, an historian will lead visitors on a guided tour of the Museum, giving attendees full access to exhibits. At 7PM, 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.
TWILIGHT AT THE CURVE: EXTENDED NIGHT HOURS
WORLD FAMOUS HORSESHOE CURVE - FRIDAY, AUGUST 6 & 20, SEPTEMBER 3 & 17 - 5PM-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.
HISTORY AFTER HOURS: GUIDED TOUR & LECTURE
RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM - THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 - 5:30PM-8PM
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 when the Museum re-opens its doors at 5:30PM. At 6PM, our curator will lead visitors on a guided tour of the Museum, giving attendees full access to exhibits. At 7PM, author Ryan Brown will conduct a presentation about labor, strikes, and industry, featuring content from his book Pittsburgh and the Great Steel Strike of 1919. Beverages (included with admission) will be served by Railroad City Brewing Company.
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 when the Museum re-opens its doors at 5:30PM. At 6PM, our curator will lead visitors on a guided tour of the Museum, giving attendees full access to exhibits. At 7PM, author Ryan Brown will conduct a presentation about labor, strikes, and industry, featuring content from his book Pittsburgh and the Great Steel Strike of 1919. Beverages (included with admission) will be served by Railroad City Brewing Company.
ALTOONA AT WORK: LABOR DAY AT THE CURVE
WORLD FAMOUS HORSESHOE CURVE - SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 5 - 10AM-5PM
Join curator Andrew Brumbaugh on Sunday, September 5 for living history presentations at the World Famous Horseshoe Curve. These heritage talks at 12PM & 3PM 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. Living historians will provide hands-on interpretation and educational programming 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 curator Andrew Brumbaugh on Sunday, September 5 for living history presentations at the World Famous Horseshoe Curve. These heritage talks at 12PM & 3PM 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. Living historians will provide hands-on interpretation and educational programming 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.
RAILROAD CITY OKTOBERFEST: HISTORY & HOPS
RAILROAD CITY BREWING CO. & DOWNTOWN ALTOONA - TBD
Join Railroad City Brewing Company and the Railroaders Memorial Museum on Saturday, September 18 for Railroad City Oktoberfest. Many German Americans, along with other ethnicities, built Altoona's railroading community. This family-friendly event located in the streets of Downtown Altoona will pay tribute to that rich heritage and will feature local food, beverages, and musical performances. Staff members from the Railroaders Memorial Museum will operate multiple educational booths consisting of informative reading materials, children's activities, and historical artifact displays.
Join Railroad City Brewing Company and the Railroaders Memorial Museum on Saturday, September 18 for Railroad City Oktoberfest. Many German Americans, along with other ethnicities, built Altoona's railroading community. This family-friendly event located in the streets of Downtown Altoona will pay tribute to that rich heritage and will feature local food, beverages, and musical performances. Staff members from the Railroaders Memorial Museum will operate multiple educational booths consisting of informative reading materials, children's activities, and historical artifact displays.
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.
HISTORY AFTER HOURS: GUIDED TOUR & LECTURE
RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM - THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7 - 5:30PM-8PM
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 when the Museum re-opens its doors at 5:30PM. At 6PM, our curator will lead visitors on a guided tour of the Museum, giving attendees full access to exhibits. At 7PM, PRRT&HS member Ken Kobus will conduct a presentation about the Pennsylvania Railroad, featuring photographs from his own personal collection. Beverages (included with admission) will be served by Railroad City Brewing Company.
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 when the Museum re-opens its doors at 5:30PM. At 6PM, our curator will lead visitors on a guided tour of the Museum, giving attendees full access to exhibits. At 7PM, PRRT&HS member Ken Kobus will conduct a presentation about the Pennsylvania Railroad, featuring photographs from his own personal collection. Beverages (included with admission) will be served by Railroad City Brewing Company.
HAUNTED RAILS & TALES: RAILROAD CITY HORROR STORIES
RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16, 23, 30 - 7PM, 8PM, 9PM
Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum on Saturdays in October for Haunted Rails and Tales. While on a tour of the former Master Mechanics Building, visitors will discover that the museum exhibits, animated by a new haunted artifact, come to life at night. As dormant tableaus awaken, attendees will meet seven 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 dismemberment and death on the Pennsylvania Railroad. This event is recommended for ages 8 and up.
Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum on Saturdays in October for Haunted Rails and Tales. While on a tour of the former Master Mechanics Building, visitors will discover that the museum exhibits, animated by a new haunted artifact, come to life at night. As dormant tableaus awaken, attendees will meet seven 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 dismemberment and death on the Pennsylvania Railroad. This event is recommended for ages 8 and up.
HISTORY AFTER HOURS: GUIDED TOUR & LECTURE
RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM - THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 4 - 5:30PM-8PM
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 when the Museum re-opens its doors at 5:30PM. At 6PM, our curator will lead visitors on a guided tour of the Museum, giving attendees full access to exhibits. At 7PM, historian Jared Frederick will conduct a presentation about the Loyal War Governors' Conference that took place in Altoona during the Civil War. Beverages (included with admission) will be served by Railroad City Brewing Company.
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 when the Museum re-opens its doors at 5:30PM. At 6PM, our curator will lead visitors on a guided tour of the Museum, giving attendees full access to exhibits. At 7PM, historian Jared Frederick will conduct a presentation about the Loyal War Governors' Conference that took place in Altoona during the Civil War. Beverages (included with admission) will be served by Railroad City Brewing Company.
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.
SOLDIERS & SWITCHMEN: RAILROAD CITY GOES TO WAR
RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM - SATURDAY-SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 13-14 - 10AM-5PM
Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum on Saturday and Sunday, November 13 & 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 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 & 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 each historian will appear in authentic attire pertinent to a certain wartime era, ranging from the Mexican War through the Vietnam War.
A K4 CHRISTMAS: A RAILROAD CITY HOLIDAY
RAILROADERS MEMORIAL MUSEUM - SATURDAYS, DECEMBER 4, 11, 18 - 6PM-8PM
Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum on Saturdays in December for A K4 Christmas. These family-friendly evenings will consist of a decorated museum lobby--a visual spectacle complete with lights, wreaths, and decorated Christmas trees! A tree lighting will launch each night at 6PM. Families and children can visit Santa Claus for photo opportunities and gift requests. Delicious cookies and warm coco will be available to all attendees. Visitors can perform any last minute holiday shopping in our museum store where a wide-variety of Christmas ornaments will be available for purchase.
Join the Railroaders Memorial Museum on Saturdays in December for A K4 Christmas. These family-friendly evenings will consist of a decorated museum lobby--a visual spectacle complete with lights, wreaths, and decorated Christmas trees! A tree lighting will launch each night at 6PM. Families and children can visit Santa Claus for photo opportunities and gift requests. Delicious cookies and warm coco will be available to all attendees. Visitors can perform any last minute holiday shopping in our museum store where a wide-variety of Christmas ornaments will be available for purchase.
