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| VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF TRANSPORTATION |
2009: Year in
Forward Motion |
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WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT! |
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Greetings!
2009 was a successful and memorable year! Through exhibits and storytelling, we taught history, honored service, preserved memories, warmed hearts, and brought families together. We saved the Lost Engines of Roanoke after a decades-long crusade to honor the history behind those massive engines. And we had other successes, too.
New exhibits, activities, and events attracted 30% more visitors than in 2008, including visitors from across the globe and hundreds of school children who traveled from as far away as Charlottesville and Patrick County. In spite of the difficult economy, by operating within our means but by making every improvement that we could, we're ending 2009 in the black and poised for another great year in 2010.
While our collection is incredible, people are by far our greatest asset. From our wonderful volunteers, staff and partnering organizations, to our donors, supporters, e-news subscribers, Facebook fans, and visitors, we are so grateful to you all!
 Come see us soon!Beverly T. Fitzpatrick, Jr.
Executive Director
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Norfolk Southern Challenge: Moving toward our future
 In December 2008, Wick Moorman, President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Norfolk Southern Corporation, offered the Virginia Museum of Transportation a rare $1 Million Challenge opportunity. The first phase is a two-year planning process for improving our exhibits and our facility, so we can better serve our visitors and the community at large. At left, Bev Fitzpatrick and Wick Moorman, photo courtesy of P. F. McFarland.
The Challenge enabled us to begin a self-study and planning process, assisted by William Withuhn, Curator at the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History. Bill is widely regarded as the nation's leading transportation exhibits producer, and he knows our Museum well -- our strengths, weaknesses, and our significant potential. With his guidance, we are learning how to turn our good Museum into a great Museum. The planning group traveled to the National Museum of American History (right) and to the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore to see how two of the nation's best museums interpret their collections. 
In early 2010, we will hold public sessions to learn what the community -- you! -- would like to see preserved, changed, or added at the Museum. We will also begin to solicit personal stories to enliven our exhibits, the transportation-related experiences of men and women that shed light on Virginia's history and economic development.
We invite you to add your support and your voice. Future newsletters will update you of our plans and your opportunities for involvement. If you are able, please consider a gift now or in 2010 to help us meet our challenge match or to support our day-to-day operations. We are grateful both for ideas and for the financial support necessary to bring ideas to fruition.
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 Exhibits: new and improved, in the Museum and out in the Rail Yard
In the Advance Auto Parts Auto Gallery, we've added a rare Earl Delivery Truck built in 1922, a 1936 McCormick-Deering Farmall tractor made by International Harvester, trucking company signs and a video of vintage TV car commercials.
Big Lick Depot has a new look, Ellett Station and the Virginian Locomotive SA #4 both got a new paint job, and the roof of the President One rail car has been repaired--the big blue tarp is gone! Please come see our 1960 Overnite Transportation tractor trailer on loan from UPS and a Roanoke built Oren fire pumper on loan from the Concord Virginia Volunteer Fire Department. The changing exhibit space in the Rail Gallery has hosted photography and bicycle exhibits, with more new exhibits planned in 2010. |
 The year's special events honored our rail heritage
On National Train Day in May, we hosted Rail Day to celebrate both our rail heritage and modern rail technology. We collaborated with the O. Winston Link Museum to make it a really great day for rail fans of all ages with special activities in both locations. We thank Norfolk Southern for moving the 1218 and for providing one of its newest locomotives for display, the GE EVOL pictured at right. Experts were on hand to tell stories, explain technology, and answer visitors' questions: Louis Newton, John Bernie, Ron Davis, Gary Dudley, Gordon Hamilton, Charles Hardy, Jim Fulghum, Louise Scott, and Bob Hudson. Rail Day was our single biggest attendance day in 2009. Look for more in 2010!
 In November, we hosted Lerro Productions' extremely popular night photo shoot of the N&W Class J 611 and Class A 1218. Participating photographers came from around the country, with amazing results. Look for photo spreads in these upcoming national publications: Railroads Illustrated: January 2010; Railpace: February 2010; and Railfan Magazine: January 2010. Photo courtesy of Lerro Productions. |
 Saving the Lost Engines and announcing Virginia's Rail Heritage Region
In July, the Virginia Museum of Transportation announced that it was saving the Lost Engines of Roanoke, three 1910/11 steam locomotives, plus two first-generation diesel locomotives, several tenders and a flat car. These one-of-a-kind examples of cherished American rail history had languished in a Roanoke scrap yard for nearly sixty years.
The Museum recognizes the Virginia Scrap Iron & Metal Co. which generously donated the locomotives and rail stock to the Virginia Museum of Transportation. Working with our partners, the Railway Museum of Virginia in Portsmouth, VA, the Roanoke Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, and North Fork Inc., we saved these valuable pieces of railroad history. Efforts are underway to begin cosmetic restoration of pieces of the equipment. Moving the 1151 to the Museum photo courtesy of Dec Hobbie. Header photo of 1151 in the snow courtesy of Greg Pruett.
 In November, national news was made again as the C&O Heritage Center, O. Winston Link Museum, Blue Ridge and Roanoke Chapters of the National Railway Historical Society, Norfolk & Western Historical Society, and Virginia Museum of Transportation announced the designation of Virginia's Rail Heritage Region by the Virginia General Assembly.
The goal of the partnership is to attract more tourists -- and more spending -- by promoting the region's significant rail heritage tourism assets: multiple museums, active rail lines, historic sites, and the activities of the historical societies. The partners already have a history of working together on events, joint ticketing, cross promotion, national advertising, and even the loan or transfer of very significant archives and artifacts such as locomotives.
The Region encompasses the following jurisdictions, all of which supported the designation: the cities of Bedford, Covington, Lynchburg, Roanoke, and Salem; the counties of Alleghany, Amherst, Bedford, Botetourt, Campbell, and Roanoke; and the towns of Amherst, Buchanan, Clifton Forge, Iron Gate, Troutville, and Vinton. |
 Guides and volunteers bring the Museum to life
Charles Hardy, Ron Vanderpool, and Gary Dudley (at left), plus Jim Fulghum and Harry Messimer tackled a new challenge as museum guides this year. One or more of these gentlemen are at the Museum nearly every day to greet our visitors, answer questions, and pass along wonderful tales of transportation.
Other volunteers also made a huge difference at the Museum this year through their frequent and continuing service. We thank Bob Davis, Barry Dudley, Marilyn Fry, Nelson Graybill, Joyce Higgs, Jerry Hubble, Bob Hudson, Ryan Jackson, Dayoon Lee, Phil McFarland, Peg McGuire, Wayne McKinney, Will Morse, Steve Parker, Greg Pruett, Aidan Rea, Erik Rhyne, Louise Scott, David Shields, Wizzy Strom, and Charles Wertalik!
 In 2009, we received volunteer and/or financial support from the Advertising Federation of the Roanoke Valley, Hollins University, Junior League of the Roanoke Valley, National Association of Railway Business Women, Norfolk & Western Historical Society, Roanoke Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Roanoke Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, Roanoke College, Roanoke Valley Garden Club, Roanoke Valley Model Engineers, Roanoke Valley O-Gauge Club, Roanoke Valley Region Antique Car Club of America (polishing up the auto gallery at right), Roanoke Valley Volkswagen Club, Southwest Virginia Transportation Council, Star City Motor Madness, and the Virginian Railway Fans.
Thank you! | |
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| Year end specials! |
Calendars and more are now marked down. Come in soon for best selection or visit our store online. Free parking!
Members always receive a 10% discount! |
| Destinations, the Museum Store at the Virginia Museum of Transportation |
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