How is the Northwest Railway Museum handling the pandemic? This is arguably the most difficult period in the Museum’s 63 year history, and continued community support is critical to recovery. Notwithstanding, the Museum has used the closure to perform upgrades.
Exhibits, artifacts, and even publications
are
getting attention, and we are confident the Museum’s audience will see and appreciate the difference.
Notably, The Museum’s publication, The
Sounder, was redesigned in
an effort led by Lee Ater of LOT22. The changes bring the newsletter into line with branding
standards, easier
to produce and make it more visually interesting.
Meanwhile,
with the expectations for reopening the Museum came an opportunity to upgrade exhibits. This resulted in more
interpretive content, and transformed the hall
into a more visually-interesting experience, both of which
are vital to attracting and retaining an audience.
Sadly,
many pandemic-related orders are affecting the
Museum in truly negative ways. The continuing prohibition
on events is particularly damaging because it devastates
both audience and income. And even if events were
permitted in King County, they would be limited to just
50 people. Unfortunately, none of the Museum’s events are economically
viable when serving smaller groups.
The
Museum is unable to host Halloween or Santa Train
this
year. However, we are improvising, and hope you will attend our alternative Safe Start activities!
Beginning
October 3, the Museum will operate regular
train ride excursions, using social distancing practices, most weekends through the end of the year.
At Halloween and during the Christmas season,
trains
will operate with appropriate holiday themes such as the Yuletide Express, but
guests
will remain on board for the duration of
their
visit. We know this may not be to everyone’s liking,
but
it does appear to be the Museum’s best practical
alternative
that keeps staff, volunteers and visitors safe,
and
complies with the law.
Externally, we sadly share that the pandemic has
been particularly difficult for all museums. The Bellingham
Railway Museum closed its doors in
March, and it was soon apparent that it would never
reopen. NRM staff and volunteers worked with their officers
and former staff to ensure their collection is preserved,
and remains in the public domain. Over the
summer the collection was boxed up and moved to
Snoqualmie. Their beloved Lionel 027 layout has been
reassembled in the Train Shed, and will soon be operational.
We extend our heart-felt condolences to
their staff and volunteers for their loss—closing a museum
is heart-breaking.
Your Support is Critical
We wish to thank you for your continued support during these uncertain times. The Northwest Railway Museum is dynamic and successful in part because of people just like you. Now, during the Covid-19 crisis, we need your support more than ever. Please consider helping to sustain the Museum in any of the following ways:
Visit TrainMuseum.org to find out how you can help.
Not everything about 2020 has been negative. The happiest news of the
year remains the success of steam locomotive 924. Despite challenges,
the
924 has successfully operated under its own power this year.
Like
the chapel car 5 project before it, the 924 work
generated
more questions than expected, but the skillful
dedication
of museum volunteers and staff have allowed
work
to continue. We hope you will be able to join us for
the
first run this fall—check TrainMuseum.org for updates.
