Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum
If you want to visit the Monterey & Salinas Valley Railway Museum, there are several things you should know.
Historical Society
The Historical Society of Monterey & Salinas Valley Railroad Museum is still putting the finishing touches on their model train layout. The railroad museum recreates the Salinas Valley in 1953 with its rolling stock, including a Southern Pacific steam engine, a 1916 caboose, and a 1930s refrigeration car. It also includes a green post office car that was once the museum’s visitor center. Museum members have installed postal sorting boxes and other equipment in the vehicle.
The Monterey & Salinas Valley Railway Museum is a fascinating museum dedicated to the history of the railroads in the Monterey Valley. Its mission is to provide educational and interactive experiences that will inspire a love of history and community involvement. The museum is open one weekend a month. Admission is free. It is open to the public and is a great way to learn about local history.
Mission
In 1993, the Monterey Salinas Valley Railroad and Historical Society was formed to preserve the legacy of this local historical landmark. Originally a private railroad, it was chartered by a group of railroad enthusiasts with the goal of sharing the significance of the railroad with children and youth. Originally, the MSVRR operated HO scale trains for schoolchildren in the area. Today, the MSVRR has become a popular destination for families and history buffs alike.
The museum also offers an array of anthropological collections, including adobes, basketry, and pottery. There are a number of categories for you to choose from, including African, Americana, Central, and Eskimo. Guests can also view the Natural History Collection, which features a variety of animal and plant life, including insects, molluscs, and bony fish. The Museum also holds several rare and valuable books on various aspects of local history, including artifacts from the area’s past.
Collections
The Betty Hoag Mc Glynn California Archive includes annual scrapbooks documenting museum activities. It also includes the Monterey county census, and directories, as well as the Mexican Archives of Monterey County. The collection is complemented by microfilm sources. There are also several collections of local historical newspapers. You can view these on the museum’s main floor. Whether you are researching Monterey County history or Monterey’s rich history, you can find it here.
The Presidio of Monterey Historical Collection contains documents from 1900 to 1980. These include photos of military units and general images of camp life. Also included in this collection are historic pictures of the city’s first settlement, the Viscaino landing, and downtown scenes. The museum also houses the largest collection of archival issues of the Fort Ord Panorama newspaper. These collections provide a glimpse into the lives of Monterey residents during the California Gold Rush.
Events
The Monterey & Salinas Valley Railway Museum is located at 26 Station Place, near the Amtrak station. While it is not as large as the State Railroad Museum, the museum is free and accepts donations. Open during the week, it is free to visit, but donations are welcome. The museum also offers self-tours of its model railroad layout inside the former Railroad Express Agency Building.
The model train layout was begun by restoring an abandoned REA building in the 1990s. This museum features exhibits tracing the railroad history of the Salinas Valley, as well as a fully working-HO-scale model train layout. A special highlight of the museum is a photo of Monterey County in 1953, when the railroad was still a part of the local economy.
Location
If you’re looking for a unique way to spend an afternoon in Salinas, the Monterey & Salinas Valley Railway Museum in Salinas is a must-visit destination. This historic railroad museum is located at 26 Station Place, near the Amtrak station. Though not as large as the State Railroad Museum, this museum is free to visit and does accept donations. Despite being small, this museum offers guided tours of its model railroad layout in the old Railroad Express Agency building and self-guided tours of the vintage rolling stock.
There are several exhibits at the Monterey & Salinas Valley Rail Museum, including a full-sized steam locomotive. You can also view historic photographs of Monterey’s rail network and learn about local railroad history from its superintendent. Visitors can tour a restored 19th-century freight car, refrigerator car, and postal car, and even operate an actual railroad crossing guard signal.
in Salinas
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