French Creek Valley Railroad Historical Society

Goal: $18,000.00

Specific Need

PLEASE HELP US TO COMPLETE THE RENOVATION OF THE THE LAST RAILROAD BUILDING IN MEADVILLE. WE HAVE HAD THE GRAND OPENING AND ARE NOW OPEN WEEKENDS FROM 1:00 PM UNTIL 4:00 PM THROUGH THE SUMMER. A HALLOWEEN THEME IS PLANNED FOR OCTOBER AND A CHRISTMAS THEME IS PLANNED FOR DECEMBER.

YOUR DONATIONS WILL ASSIST WITH:

The construction of a new porch and stairway on the west side of the building for the kitchenette, material costs for new exhibts and display cases, additional stone for the parking lot, and landscaping around the building.

Mission

The Mission of the French Creek Valley Railroad Historical Society is to collect and preserve railroad artifacts and information at destinations that will provide educational, historical, and recreational experiences for visitors and a reference base for researchers interested in the railroad heritage of northwestern Pennsylvania. In addition, the FCVRRHS will sponsor and support programs and other events on a local, national and international scale in furtherance of its educational purposes and their benefits.

Profile

In January 2019, the French Creek Valley Railroad Historical Society (FVC) purchased the former Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad Passenger Depot and Freight House (more recently Meadville Farm & Garden), 136 Mead Avenue, Meadville, PA, in order to save and preserve it as a historic site. It is the last railroad building in Meadville that has not been razed or restored for commercial or business use. Our main goal is to restore the building to and transform it into an educational railroad museum and community center to be known as the Meadville Railroad Depot.

YOUR PAST DONATIONS have helped us to reach over 95% of our goal to complete the renovation of the building. BLOW THE WHISTLE!! WE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR GENEROSITY.

Because of your support, floors have been repaired, leveled, and insulated; three restrooms are in operation, we are air conditioned, new windows and doors are in place; and ceilings, walls, lighting and insulation are completed. A large sign announces us on Mead Avenue and the entire building has been repainted. A model train chugs through three walls and delights young and old alike, along with a 22 minute TV presentation highlighting old time railroaders from Meadville.

The museum will foster the conservation of the industrial railroad heritage of northwestern PA by maintaining and enhancing a varied assortment of resources from notable railroad companies operating through the Meadville rail yard from the mid-1800s to the present time. We will also educate the public about the railroad roundhouse, the large number of railroad shops that once dotted the landscape of Meadville, and the people who worked there.
The FCV already has a locomotive and rolling stock in its collection at an outdoor display area a quarter mile from the museum along the French Creek Parkway. The organization is also known for its annual holiday model train displays and the Meadville Model Railroad Club after-school youth program.