Impressive rail history in Our Town
Updated: July 16, 2012
CHATHAM -- You might not think so from the outside, but Our Town Chatham is full of history. It's home to the Illinois Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society.
It has a museum dedicated to the history of trains in Central Illinois. WCIA-3's Ashley Michels takes us there.
That's the sound of history, and it's tucked away in this century-old rail depot. Today, it's home to the Chatham Railway Museum.
"It's an attraction in Chatham. There's not a lot of history left in Chatham. It's grown so much."
So, the museum takes you back to a simpler time when railroads were Chatham's gateway to the world. The place is full of train goodies. Most is donated from locals.
"It draws people to Chatham."
It sees more than 200-people a year.
"Last visitors we had came from Tulsa, OK, and La Christ Santa, CA. So, we do draw people from all over, not just locals."
There's a little something for everyone.
"It's amazing. Kids usually find something of interest here. It's like 'Wow!' Whether it's a picture or trying out the telegraph key in the office, playing with it, or there's always something interesting that they find."
But, the best thing that's here, "There's so many things. It's hard to pick one or two specific, like 'Wow, this is the greatest.'"
So, you'll just have to come in and pick for yourself. The museum is open the second and fourth Sundays of every month. If you're planning a trip to Our Town Chatham for a different day, they can make special arrangements.
It has a museum dedicated to the history of trains in Central Illinois. WCIA-3's Ashley Michels takes us there.
That's the sound of history, and it's tucked away in this century-old rail depot. Today, it's home to the Chatham Railway Museum.
"It's an attraction in Chatham. There's not a lot of history left in Chatham. It's grown so much."
So, the museum takes you back to a simpler time when railroads were Chatham's gateway to the world. The place is full of train goodies. Most is donated from locals.
"It draws people to Chatham."
It sees more than 200-people a year.
"Last visitors we had came from Tulsa, OK, and La Christ Santa, CA. So, we do draw people from all over, not just locals."
There's a little something for everyone.
"It's amazing. Kids usually find something of interest here. It's like 'Wow!' Whether it's a picture or trying out the telegraph key in the office, playing with it, or there's always something interesting that they find."
But, the best thing that's here, "There's so many things. It's hard to pick one or two specific, like 'Wow, this is the greatest.'"
So, you'll just have to come in and pick for yourself. The museum is open the second and fourth Sundays of every month. If you're planning a trip to Our Town Chatham for a different day, they can make special arrangements.
