Our new Operating hours effective May 1st, 2012
Monday 10 am to 4 pm
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday 10 am to 4 pm
Thursday 10 am to 4 pm
Friday 10 am to 4 pm
Saturday 10 am to 4 pm
Sunday Noon to 4 pm
Please visit our web site for a list of upcoming events. www.milwaukeerailroadshops.org
A periodic look at the progress and events taking place at the Milwaukee Railroad Shops in Sioux City, Iowa
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
A thank you to the SHRA volunteers
Hello to all our wonderful volunteers! I just wanted to drop a quick note to you all thanking you for all the hard work that you have put in at the roundhouse complex. Wednesday we start a long a waited for and very hard earned historic moment in our organization as we begin 6 day a week operations. We have all worked so hard and for so long to make this leap from rescue to reclamation to restoration and now we can stand tall and proudly show off our work as we move into the full time operation of a professional museum and major tourist attraction for Siouxland.
We are regularly receiving e-mails, phone calls and being stopped on the street being asked what is planned and what do we have going on. The word IS getting out and people are taking notice and are very surprised at what we have to offer. I personally heard the phrase; “best kept secret in Sioux City” used 3 times last weekend in my travels around town. The best part is…the secret is out of the bag! We have a lot more to do and a lot more to learn but with what we have accomplished so far, the sky’s the limit.
Thank you all! Thank your spouses, thank your kids and thank your friends and relatives. There is so much more going on behind the scenes by a supporting cast of hundreds that don’t care to be recognized yet are more than happy to provide assistance when needed without even batting an eye. I’m so blessed and lucky to know you all and am proud to work side by side with you all.
We are leaping full bore into this new and exciting chapter in OUR railroad museum project. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and from all of the staff and board of directors of the Siouxland Historical Railroad Association. Congratulations on this major milestone and may this just be the beginning of a fabulous future.
Congratulations and thank you so very much!
Ken Brown
SHRA Executive Vice-President
We are regularly receiving e-mails, phone calls and being stopped on the street being asked what is planned and what do we have going on. The word IS getting out and people are taking notice and are very surprised at what we have to offer. I personally heard the phrase; “best kept secret in Sioux City” used 3 times last weekend in my travels around town. The best part is…the secret is out of the bag! We have a lot more to do and a lot more to learn but with what we have accomplished so far, the sky’s the limit.
Thank you all! Thank your spouses, thank your kids and thank your friends and relatives. There is so much more going on behind the scenes by a supporting cast of hundreds that don’t care to be recognized yet are more than happy to provide assistance when needed without even batting an eye. I’m so blessed and lucky to know you all and am proud to work side by side with you all.
We are leaping full bore into this new and exciting chapter in OUR railroad museum project. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and from all of the staff and board of directors of the Siouxland Historical Railroad Association. Congratulations on this major milestone and may this just be the beginning of a fabulous future.
Congratulations and thank you so very much!
Ken Brown
SHRA Executive Vice-President
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
SIX DAY A WEEK OPERATIONS COMING SOON!
We have recently had 18 new volunteers attend our volunteer orientation classes and they are eager and ready to meet the public.
You'll also see some new changes around the complex. We have removed our wood entrance boardwalk across the tracks and are pouring concrete this week on a new and much improved permanent pedestrian rail crossing. A new entrance sign is being installed for travelers and visitors alike to better see our entrance as you travel along Iowa Hwy 12. Two new display rooms are under construction and are scheduled to have their grand opening to the public during our National Train Day celebrations on Saturday May 12th.
One exhibit will be located in bay 1 of the roundhouse and will be our Preservation Gallery. This gallery will focus on our volunteers, donor recognition,organization goals and accomplishments, volunteer recruitment, historical and preservation awards, and a donation center. The second exhibit will be in the blacksmith portion of the Machine/Blacksmith Shop and will feature pictures, blueprints and other artifacts celebrating the robust times during the first half of the 20th Century of Downtown Sioux City when 3 railroad passenger stations and the freight houses of 5 different railroads made it their home.
Stay tuned to this blog for more updates as our summer season begins. If you haven't been back for a visit in while come on back and check us out .... you won't believe the changes!
Monday, April 16, 2012
Railroad Museum selected to Participate in National Museum Assessment Program
The Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District, a railroad museum based in Sioux City, has been selected to participate in the Museum Assessment Program (MAP) administered by the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services and the American Association of Museums.
Through guided self-study and on-site consultation with a museum professional, participation in MAP will empower the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District to better serve the citizens of Sioux City by facilitating its meeting and exceeding the highest professional standards of the museum field.
During Memorial Day weekend, a peer reviewer from the American Association of Museums (AAM) will visit the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District. Peer reviewers are museum professionals who volunteer their time to review self-assessment materials, conduct site visits, and write reports. Scott Becker from the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum has been assigned by the AAM as the peer reviewer for the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District.
MAP is a confidential process of self-study, peer review and implementation. Museums use the assessment process to strengthen operations, build capacity, and enhance communication throughout the organization and in response to community needs.
Participant museums choose one of three categories for its assessment: Collections Stewardship Organizational, Community Engagement. The railroad museum will take part in the Community Engagement assessment process. Small and mid-sized museums of all types, including art, history, science and technology, children’s, natural history, historic houses, nature centers, botanical gardens, and zoos participate in the program.
MAP is a self-motivated program; application to and participation in MAP is initiated by each institution, and those accepted invest considerable human and institutional resources into the assessment.
“Choosing to be part of the MAP program is indicative of the commitment to civic involvement, public service and overall excellence on the part of the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District,” said Ford W. Bell, president of AAM. “Studies have shown America’s museums to be among the country’s most trusted and valued institutions. MAP is designed to make them even better.”
Through guided self-study and on-site consultation with a museum professional, participation in MAP will empower the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District to better serve the citizens of Sioux City by facilitating its meeting and exceeding the highest professional standards of the museum field.
During Memorial Day weekend, a peer reviewer from the American Association of Museums (AAM) will visit the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District. Peer reviewers are museum professionals who volunteer their time to review self-assessment materials, conduct site visits, and write reports. Scott Becker from the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum has been assigned by the AAM as the peer reviewer for the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District.
MAP is a confidential process of self-study, peer review and implementation. Museums use the assessment process to strengthen operations, build capacity, and enhance communication throughout the organization and in response to community needs.
Participant museums choose one of three categories for its assessment: Collections Stewardship Organizational, Community Engagement. The railroad museum will take part in the Community Engagement assessment process. Small and mid-sized museums of all types, including art, history, science and technology, children’s, natural history, historic houses, nature centers, botanical gardens, and zoos participate in the program.
MAP is a self-motivated program; application to and participation in MAP is initiated by each institution, and those accepted invest considerable human and institutional resources into the assessment.
“Choosing to be part of the MAP program is indicative of the commitment to civic involvement, public service and overall excellence on the part of the Milwaukee Railroad Shops Historic District,” said Ford W. Bell, president of AAM. “Studies have shown America’s museums to be among the country’s most trusted and valued institutions. MAP is designed to make them even better.”
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Railroad museum seeks development director
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
PART-TIME
The Siouxland Historical Railroad Association is seeking an experienced, part-time development director to raise major gifts for the development of the Railroad Museum in Sioux City, Iowa. Ideal candidate should have an interest in playing a leading role in building the railroad museum’s financial capacity to support historic preservation work, special projects and the museum’s strategic objectives.
To Apply: Request full job description and application instructions by e-mailing shra@cableone.net. Review of application will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
A completed application package will include cover letter stating qualifications, resume, and a portfolio listing track record of success in raising operating and capital funds. Please mail to: Matt Merk, Executive Director, Siouxland Historical Railroad Association, P. O. Box. 1355, Sioux City, IA 51102-1355.
PART-TIME
The Siouxland Historical Railroad Association is seeking an experienced, part-time development director to raise major gifts for the development of the Railroad Museum in Sioux City, Iowa. Ideal candidate should have an interest in playing a leading role in building the railroad museum’s financial capacity to support historic preservation work, special projects and the museum’s strategic objectives.
To Apply: Request full job description and application instructions by e-mailing shra@cableone.net. Review of application will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
A completed application package will include cover letter stating qualifications, resume, and a portfolio listing track record of success in raising operating and capital funds. Please mail to: Matt Merk, Executive Director, Siouxland Historical Railroad Association, P. O. Box. 1355, Sioux City, IA 51102-1355.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
We are expading our hours! Would you like to volunteer?
Beginning May 1, 2012 we plan on opening our doors to the public for 6 days a week, Wednesday through Monday. This will double the days we are are currently open and allow more travelers and local folks time to come and see what we have to offer. In order to make this a reality though we need your help.
Have you ever considered volunteering a few hours a week or month and join the fun that we are all having? Volunteer positions are currently being sought for:
- Tour Guides/Docents
- Railroad Equipment Operations
- Gift Shop
- Model Railroad Building Guides/Docents
- Event Planning
- Newsletters
- Fundraising
- Archives and Library
If you're interested or would like a little more information. Please contact us.
You can stop down on Friday or Saturday's between 10am - 4 pm or on Sunday's between noon - 4 pm. Also, you could give us a call at 712-233-6996. The phones are not always manned during the week, but we will return your call if you leave us a message.
If you like to help people learn about Sioux City's proud history, talk about trains, or just want to try something completely out of the ordinary come on down.
We encourage retired folks, families and responsible students to get involved.
We will provide the training you need in two different sessions so you can pick the one that works best for you.
We hope to here from you soon.
Have you ever considered volunteering a few hours a week or month and join the fun that we are all having? Volunteer positions are currently being sought for:
- Tour Guides/Docents
- Railroad Equipment Operations
- Gift Shop
- Model Railroad Building Guides/Docents
- Event Planning
- Newsletters
- Fundraising
- Archives and Library
If you're interested or would like a little more information. Please contact us.
You can stop down on Friday or Saturday's between 10am - 4 pm or on Sunday's between noon - 4 pm. Also, you could give us a call at 712-233-6996. The phones are not always manned during the week, but we will return your call if you leave us a message.
If you like to help people learn about Sioux City's proud history, talk about trains, or just want to try something completely out of the ordinary come on down.
We encourage retired folks, families and responsible students to get involved.
We will provide the training you need in two different sessions so you can pick the one that works best for you.
We hope to here from you soon.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Santa's Whistle Stop Tour Ends a Record Year!
Thank you to all our wonderful guests, visitors, volunteers, members and donors as we are ready to close out a record setting year! Our inaugural Santa's Whistle Stop Tour was a wonderful event and provided us with some very valuable information to build on for next years event.
The first Saturday of the event proved to be very educational. As you all may remember Dec. 3rd brought us rain, sleet and snow. With some of the heaviest snowfall occurring just in time for Santa's arrival. Our train crews had their hands full operating during winter conditions for the first time, but Santa arrived (almost on time) to the cheers of many children eagerly awaiting his arrival. The next two Saturdays proved nicer with warming temperatures and plenty of sunshine. Estimated attendance figures are as follows. Dec 3rd = 100, Dec 10th = 1,100 and Dec 17th = 2,700! Santa got to talk to lots and lots of smiling children and hear their happy wishes for the holidays. The Polar Express Conductor also was on hand and when he wasn't reading stories he was helping out with the motor car rides loading and unloading passengers.
With this Christmas event drawing an estimated 3900 people (as calculated by visitor sign ins) that puts a very happy ending to a record setting year. Last year (our previous best)saw an annual attendance of 12,300. This year we completed construction on the Civil Engineering Building, began an intensive restoration of the Nebraska Central HO scale model railroad, restored the Machine Shop Building, won the Iowa State Preservation at it Best, Community Award for the Machine Shop Restoration and we have a current annual attendance of 31,800 with less than two weeks to go until the end of the year. That's a 38.7% increase in visitors over last year.
Keep your eye's and ears tuned to the local news for more exciting news about changes coming to the business side of the museum that will catapult the railroad museum into a bright new era. Sound the whistle! All lights are green! Full steam ahead!
The first Saturday of the event proved to be very educational. As you all may remember Dec. 3rd brought us rain, sleet and snow. With some of the heaviest snowfall occurring just in time for Santa's arrival. Our train crews had their hands full operating during winter conditions for the first time, but Santa arrived (almost on time) to the cheers of many children eagerly awaiting his arrival. The next two Saturdays proved nicer with warming temperatures and plenty of sunshine. Estimated attendance figures are as follows. Dec 3rd = 100, Dec 10th = 1,100 and Dec 17th = 2,700! Santa got to talk to lots and lots of smiling children and hear their happy wishes for the holidays. The Polar Express Conductor also was on hand and when he wasn't reading stories he was helping out with the motor car rides loading and unloading passengers.
With this Christmas event drawing an estimated 3900 people (as calculated by visitor sign ins) that puts a very happy ending to a record setting year. Last year (our previous best)saw an annual attendance of 12,300. This year we completed construction on the Civil Engineering Building, began an intensive restoration of the Nebraska Central HO scale model railroad, restored the Machine Shop Building, won the Iowa State Preservation at it Best, Community Award for the Machine Shop Restoration and we have a current annual attendance of 31,800 with less than two weeks to go until the end of the year. That's a 38.7% increase in visitors over last year.
Keep your eye's and ears tuned to the local news for more exciting news about changes coming to the business side of the museum that will catapult the railroad museum into a bright new era. Sound the whistle! All lights are green! Full steam ahead!
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