Discover the History of Steam

Entrance to the History Museum at Steamtown NHS

NPS Photo

The History Museum, originally called the South Museum, contains exhibits which focus on the history of steam railroading in the region. The timeline begins with early transportation, canals, and gravity railroads. It continues into the 1960s and ends at 1995. Part of the exhibit highlights groups of people whose lives influenced or were influenced by the railroad.

Visitors are encouraged to travel back in time as you enter a recreated train station lobby complete with four ticket windows.

Adjacent to the History Museum is an exhibit area with a Louisville and Nashville Railroad Post Office car, Erie Business Car #3, and an archeology exhibit.

Details

Duration

15-45 Minutes

Activity

Museum Exhibits

Pets Allowed

No

Pets are limited to the parking lot and the grassy area outside of the Theater Building. Please pick up after your pet and properly dispose of waste.

Service Animals are permitted in all public buildings, railroad cars and locomotives and are not subject to the park’s pet policies and, when accompanying an individual with a disability, they are allowed wherever visitors are allowed. A service animal means any dog or miniature horse that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual or other mental disability.”

Please do not leave your pet unattended in a vehicle or tethered outside.

For more information, visit the National Park Service Service Animals page or call Steamtown at [phone].

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

History Museum

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

During Spring, Summer, and early Fall the park is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. which includes museum buildings, outdoor exhibit areas, and parking lot. During severe weather events, the hours of operation may be impacted.

During Winter, the park is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. which includes museum buildings, outdoor exhibit areas, and parking lot. During severe weather events, the hours of operation may be impacted.

Note: The park is closed on the following federally observed holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

For updated information, please call [phone]. Please plan accordingly.

Time of Day

Day

During Spring, Summer, and early Fall the park is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. which includes museum buildings, outdoor exhibit areas, and parking lot. During severe weather events, the hours of operation may be impacted.

During Winter, the park is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. which includes museum buildings, outdoor exhibit areas, and parking lot. During severe weather events, the hours of operation may be impacted.

Note: The park is closed on the following federally observed holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

For updated information, please call [phone]. Please plan accordingly.

Accessibility Information

Steamtown National Historic Site is accessible, with the exception of some historic locomotives and railroad cars. IMPORTANT NOTE: Some train rides/excursions are NOT accessible. Please explain your accessibility needs before purchasing train ride tickets. We are working to correct accessibility deficiencies to ensure an enjoyable experience for all of our visitors.

• Public use elevators are located in the History and Technology Museums; the Roundhouse are accessible via ramps. Note: the Visitor Center and Theater buildings are currently closed due to HVAC issues.

• There are 2 standard wheelchairs available for individuals who may have difficulty walking the museum complex areas; motorized wheelchairs are not available. The wheelchairs may be signed-out on a first-come, first-served basis (no reservations), upon request at the Tickets & Information Kiosk. Wheelchairs may not be removed from the Museum Complex property.
• Designated accesible parking in the main parking lot is available.

For Visitors with Hearing Impairments

• Open captions are available on all park films including "Steel and Steam" showing on the third floor of the History Museum. This video presentation is accessible by elevator or stairs.
• Ubi-Duo technology for communcating with visitors who are deaf. Each of these machines allow two-way, typed conversation for immediate viewing by both parties. One is available at the Tickets & Information Kiosk.
• American Sign Language interpretation is available by request. Please phone [phone] at least 14 days prior to your visit to make arrangements.

For Visitors with Visual Impairments

• There is a web and mobile app version of our park brochure with audio description.
• We have many tactile exhibits that can be experienced as well as audio with our videos, although not fully audio described yet. Our park brochure is available in Braille for pick up at the Tickets & Information Kiosk. With advance notice, a ranger tour can be given with audio description. Please phone [phone] at least 14 days prior to your visit to make arrangements.