Southern Museum Celebrating National Train Day With Special Programs, Admission Deal

The Southern Museum of Civil War & Locomotive History will celebrate National Train Day on Saturday, May 11, with special programs and an admission deal.

The museum will offer a flat admission of $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 4-12. Visitors must mention National Train Day to receive the discount; no additional discounts apply.

At 11 a.m. on May 11, Dr. Richard Banz, executive director of the Southern Museum, will give a presentation about the Great Locomotive Chase and the first Medals of Honor. The Museum is home to one of the first Medals ever bestowed, given to a participant in the Civil War’s Great Locomotive Chase.

Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., staff members will offer railroad-themed tours and programs throughout the museum.  At 2 p.m., the museum will present the “Top 20 Railroad Songs of All Time,” a free musical program in the 1908 historic train depot in downtown Kennesaw; Robert Jones from the Kennesaw Historical Society will perform the top 20 railroad songs.

“Railroads have played such a crucial role in the development of not only Georgia, but also the entire country,” Banz said. “We hope people will take a few minutes on National Train Day to think about and explore how railroads have helped change the country and the role they continue to play.”

The museum will also have a special G gauge layout operating. In honor of the day, the layout will be open to anyone who wants to run his or her G gauge trains around the loop.

For more information, visit www.southernmuseum.org or www.facebook.com/southernmuseum.