The Past Rolls On at Connecticut Trolley Museum
Many museums tout themselves as a chance to go back time, but few actually ‘go’ anywhere. For that, one might consider taking a ride at the Connecticut Trolley Museum.
“We’re a historic trolley and transportation museum, and we mostly see families with young children, but we get everyone, including a lot of visitors who are interested in railroad history,” Executive Director Gina Alimberti said.
“We have a large visitor center packed with trolleys. You can go on and view them and take in our exhibits and history,” she added. “We also have some trolleys outside. We have a full fire-truck museum on the same property, with 20 to 30 old trucks you can view.”
In all, the museum houses more than 70 pieces of rail equipment dating as far back as 1869, not only from Connecticut, but from cities across the U.S. and around the world. But the highlight of the visit for most is taking a ride on an historic streetcar.
“You feel like you’re riding back in time because you would never see yourself riding on these cars,” Alimberti said. “It’s a cool experience, and we try to keep it alive. We don’t want that history to go away. A lot of seniors remember from back in the day, whether it was downtown Springfield or downtown Hartford; they remember it, and they get to experience it again, which is really cool.”
Meanwhile, she added, kids tend to know very little about trolleys, so the museum teaches them that slice of history, and hopefully gains clientele who will keep coming back when they’re older.
Speaking of kids, many events at the Connecticut Trolley Museum are geared toward the younger set and their families, from the current season’s Easter Eggspress days, featuring Easter-themed crafts, exhibits, and movies, as well as a visit from the Easter bunny; the Dino Trolley in July, with dinosaur-themed activities; the Pumpkin Patch Trolley in the fall; and the evening Winterfest and Tunnel of Lights between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The events are a big draw, and they’re critical to museum operations, Alimberti said. “We’re a nonprofit, and the only way we stay afloat are our events. It’s a big revenue maker for us to keep the museum and trolleys maintained.”
The Connecticut Trolley Museum is open weekends from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in April, May, June, and September; every day except Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in July and August; and for special events later in the year. Learn more at www.ct-trolley.org.
—Joseph Bednar
