Want to travel with history? Hit the Rails!

By Nina Kendall

Railroads played a crucial role in the growth and development of the United States. The Transcontinental Railroad tied the country together spurring immigration and economic growth. Population centers and controversy emerged as the railroads grew in the 19th century.  Railroads were the nerve system of the American economy in the 19th century.

The economic importance of railroads have declined over time but their place in the American heart and mind remains strong. Many Americans continue to be fascinated by the railroads and the idyllic lifestyle they evoke. My younger brother’s fascination with trains began as a younger and continues into adulthood.

If you have a family member or friend, who is fan of the rails, there are some great destination for you to consider. Museums that preserve trains and railroad history have a variety of exhibits and attractions to enjoy. You might begin with a traditional exhibit and end your tour with a train ride.

Here are a few railway museums we have enjoyed:

The Georgia State Railroad Museum in Savannah is a great place to explore the history of the rails. You can enjoy exhibits inside this historic landmark before you head out back to explore the rail yard. This site has lots of trains to explore and an operational turntable. You can even choose to take a ride in a historic locomotive.

       

          Another great place to explore railroad history is the North Carolina Transportation museum south of Greensboro. The North Carolina Transportation Museum is a true treat for the railroad aficionado. This museum is located on the site of the Spencer Shops in Spencer, North Carolina. The Spencer Shops were the Southern Railway Company's largest steam locomotive servicing facility. Here you can learn about what if took to repair and maintain steam locomotives. You can learn about trains from the inside out.  Visitors can also explore the history of the shop, and enjoy a train ride. Other exhibits include cars and planes.

Great day for a visit to the North Carolina Transportation Museum. Sunshine and Trains! #nc #trains #roadtrip #southern #rr #museum

A photo posted by @histocrats on Sep 13, 2015 at 1:40pm PDT

In Old Sacramento there are numerous opportunities to enjoy history including the California State Railroad Museum. The California State Railroad Museum has another unique look into rail history. This museum will is a great opportunity to explore the Transcontinental Railroad and how it was developed. You can even get a chance to see the golden spike.  This railroad also includes cars that you can explore including a Pullman railroad car. This is a museum designed for both young and old to enjoy.

Are you looking for a railway museum closer to you? Try the Association of Tourist Railroads and Railway Museums (ATRRM). You can search their site for museums and railroads near you to enjoy.

Not a Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On Anymore

By Jeff Burns

In the mid- 1700s, an offshoot of Quakerism arrived in the American colonies.  Members called their faith the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearance.  Outsiders called them the “Shaking Quakers” or Shakers, because their religious ecstasy was often expressed physically through dance.  Eventually led by Mother Ann Lee, who was later revealed as the second coming of Christ herself, the sect developed dozens of small communities that all practiced communalism, pacificism, and celibacy.  They were ahead of their time by believing in the equality of the sexes and races, and they were often innovators and early adopters of agricultural and technological  developments, supporting their communities by selling fruits, vegetables, foods, furniture, and crafts.  At Shaker-ism’s peak in the mid 19^th century, there were about 6,000 believers. Today, there is only one active community, Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in Maine, with four members, and Shaker furniture and crafts are highly prized for their aesthetics of simplicity and functional beauty, and several Shaker villages are now village museums.

My first Shaker village was Canterbury in New Hampshire (http://www.shakers.org/). Canterbury Shaker Village was created as an historic site in 1969, and visitors can see 25 restored original Shaker buildings, 4 reconstructed Shaker buildings, and 694 acres of forests, fields, gardens, nature trails, and mill ponds.  The exhibits are very interesting and informative, and you can choose to take a tour or see it on your own.  Be sure to stop at the restaurant for lunch as well, and the gift shop has a great selection of book, crafts, and gifts to choose from.

Dormitory at Canterbury.  Shakers lived communally in shared rooms, with men on one side of the building and women on the other. 

School at Canterbury.  Even though Shakers practice celibacy, they accepted pregnant women and widows with children, along with orphans.  At 21, children are given a choice to either remain in the community as Shakers or to “secede” and leave the community.

The Guest House, just outside the community for family visitors and others who had business with the community.  They stayed here and met with Shakers here so that they wouldn’t contaminate the community with sin from the outside world.

Hancock Shaker Village is in western Massachusetts, and it became a historic farm village in 1959. It’s a little more interactive than Canterbury, with tours as well as interpreters demonstrating Shaker community life. You can see demonstrations of farming, blacksmithing, weaving, baking, woodworking, and oval box-making. Be sure to check out the unique round barn also. 

 The round barn interior

Shaker Village Museums are a great way to spend a day.  If you find yourself near one, be sure to check it out.  Here’s a site that lists locations: http://www.shakerworkshops.com/catalog/directory-of-shaker-villages-and-museums.php.