Updated: 3/12/2010 
Wilmington Railroad Museum
Wilmington, North Carolina
Description

We tell the story of the railroads and the people who worked on them. Our particular emphasis is on the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, headquartered in Wilmington for over 125 years. Attractions for all ages include historical displays, railroad life re-creations, full size steam locomotive and caboose, lively Children's Hall for young visitors, and spectacular HO model layout. Housed in an authentic 1880s freight warehouse, the Museum is fully accessible with a well appointed Gift Shop for distinctive purchases.

History

The Museum began in 1979 through the efforts of three women who wished to preserve the history and heritage of railroad times in Wilmington. Starting with a modest group of artifacts that could be viewed only two days a week, the Museum increased its collections and programs over the next 25 years to provide a wide ranging overview of railroad history, occupations, special interests, and scale model operations. Having completed a move in 2007, the Museum now occupies refurbished facilites in an original railroad building and sees about 18,000 visitors across 330 days of operation each year.

Artifact Collections

Cased collections illustrate steps in the growth of the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad (later the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad) from 1834 to 1960, occupations and "tools of the trade," special aspects of railroad life (Pullman, dining car, brotherhoods, etc.) and more. Full-size recreations describe life in maintenance-of-way activities, station agents, and clerical work. Railyard items include a 1910 steam locomotive on display, boxcar with "hobos," caboose, and original signaling items. Model demonstrations trace the evolution from 100-year-old toy trains to the latest in craftsmanship and logical controls.

Research Collections

Several library collections reinforce the Museum's viewable artifacts and exhibits. These include hundreds of bound volumes, periodicals and journals, historical and technical works, flat works (maps, charts, drawings, etc.), media collection, and art/photography. These are available by permission for research or scholarly pursuits.

Programs

The Museum regularly schedules school and adult groups for guided instructional tours. Docents are available for detailed information about railroads and their impact on economic and societal development. Scheduled tours receive discounted admission; see website for details, www.wrrm.org.

Governance

Board of Directors and a paid Executive Director.

Library

Access: General Public, Students, Scholars, Members

Appointment required: True

Services
Gift Shop
Hours of Operation

April 1 - September 30
Monday - Saturday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
October 1 - March 31
Monday - Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday Closed

Admission
Museum Type(s)
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

April 27 - April 29, 2025

Oregon Museum Association 2025 Conference

TBA

Independence, Oregon

Beginning in 2025, the OMA annual conference will be held in Spring rather than Fall

The conference this year is all about trying new things. We are hoping to organize the conference into the following four tracks: Collections Care, Leadership, Emergency Preparedness, and Tourism

Check our website for more details in early 2025

The OMA newsletter is emailed every month with updates on OMA events, museum news, other events, trainings, jobs, grants and more for the museum community in Oregon.

For more information, please email connect@oregonmuseums.org.

October 1 - October 4, 2025

Western Museums Association’s (WMA) 2025 Annual Meeting

TBA

Reno, Nevada

Save the Date for WMA 202

As we celebrate our 90th anniversary, join us to build relationships and soar higher than ever before. With the theme of ELEVATE, WMA 2025 will explore ways to lift up the experiences of cultural professionals and the communities they serve.

In Reno, Nevada, 4,400 feet above sea level, we will forward the progress of museums by looking to the future.

May 6 - May 9, 2025

2025 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) ANNUAL MEETING & MUSEUMEXPO

Los Angeles Convention Center

Los Angeles, California

AAM 2025 will focus on the theme, Museums & Trust.

Museums have long inspired high levels of public trust, surpassing news outlets, government organizations, researchers and scientists, corporations, and social media platforms. This consistent finding underscores our institutions’ unique position in society as stewards of knowledge, culture, science, and history—areas where credibility and reliability are paramount

In an era marked by mistrust and misinformation, museums have a rare ability to counterbalance the proliferation of false narratives and polarized perspectives. Using our trusted position, we can cultivate a more healthy, empathetic, and informed society.

But to do so, we must maintain our credibility proactively, embracing thoughtful, transparent, and collaborative practices that will defend against influences like bias, resource challenges, abuse of power, and social injustice

An Incredible MuseumExpo

AAM is again partnering this year with the Museum Store Association to host an incredible combined expo hall. Find the most innovative services, products, and solutions in the museum field. With 350 exhibitors, you are bound to find the right partner for your museum’s current challenges and opportunities.

May 5 - May 9, 2025

Museum Store Association FORWARD 2025 in LA

The Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, California

Join MSA in LA

We’re excited about our next MSA FORWARD Conference & Expo in “The City of Angels” – Los Angeles, California in conjunction with the American Alliance of Museums

Join the Museum Store Association (MSA) and hundreds of nonprofit retail professionals for the 70th Annual MSA FORWARD Retail Conference & Expo, taking place May 5-9, 2025 at The Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles, California

Once again, MSA FORWARD will be held in conjunction with the 2025 American Alliance of Museums (AAM) Annual Meeting & Expo

Learn best practices and new ideas for store merchandising, operations, marketing, and sale

Participate in dedicated networking events and create connections that will inspire new ideas

Meet with over 200 MSA vendors about your product needs

Hear from knowledgeable industry experts during session breakouts and keynote presentations

Network with AAM attendees and exhibitor

September 10 - September 13, 2025

2025 Am Assoc for State and Local History Annual Conference

TBD

Cincinnati, Ohio

The 2025 AASLH Annual Conference, in partnership with Ohio Local History Alliance, will take place as the history field makes the final preparations to kickoff off the 250th commemoration of the founding of the United States.

The 2025 conference theme, inspired by AASLH’s Making History at 250: The Field Guide for Semiquincentennial, is an opportunity to broadly explore one of the guide’s themes, The American Experiment. For many in the American colonies in 1776, independence from Britain represented a “leap into the dark” into an unknown future

We are excited for you to join us in Cincinnati as we encourage discussion about our democracy and civic institutions and how they can help strengthen understanding, inspire action, and reveal ways that all of us can participate in and shape the ongoing American experiment.

For more information, please call 615-320-3203 or email info@aaslh.org.

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