GREEN BAY, Wis. — The National Railroad Museum on Thursday held groundbreaking for its planned $17 million Fox River Expansion, which will add more than 25,000 square feet to the facility.
The addition will approximately double the size of the museum’s Lefenstey Center and includes almost 19,000 square feet of climate-controlled space for exhibits, community events and educational programs; a covered patio of more than 5,000 square feet for outdoor events and programs, and a new 2,600-square foot mezzanine providing views of the river, an overhead view of displays, and additional exhibit and event space.
Capital campaign co-chair Kerry Denson told WLUK-TV the expansion will allow the museum “to display more exhibits, but more importantly, it will be the quality of those exhibits.”
So far, the museum has raised more than $13 million of the needed funding, including $7 million in funds from the state of Wisconsin. Fundraising continues to address the remainder; costs have risen, museum CEO Jacqueline Frank said, for reasons out of the organization’s control.
“The manufacturer of steel and steel prices have gone up,” she told WLUK. “Particularly after COVID, they’ve gone up pretty rapidly, so that’s where we’re trying to fill that gap right now.”
More information on the project is available here.
I agree that the NRM took years to hit its stride but they have improved the experience considerably. I think though that criticizing after a twenty-four year absence is a cheap shot. You’ve also mentioned East Troy which while nicely done is just a trolley ride and viewing some facilities. Another museum you should have mentioned in this area is the Mid-Continent Railway Museum in North Freedom, WI.
https://www.midcontinent.org/ They have an interesting collection of smaller, older equipment supported by a strong organization. Well worth a visit.
Many years ago, TRAINS MAG ran a send-up of a not-so-great railroad museum. Whoever wrote the spoof may have had NRM in mind. That was long ago, and my most recent visit was also quite some time ago. (Twenty-four years.) Quite possibly the museum’s collection has improved in that interval. I certainly hope so. In the meanwhile, there’s always the world-class IRM in northern Illinois, and East Troy in SE Wisconsin.
Not only has the museums collection improved but the vast majority is under cover which is especially important.