Hoellen joined the museum as executive director in September 2018, after a career that included stints at the Maryland Department of Transportation and a transportation contractor, not to mention time with the Baltimore Aquarium. “It’s not so different,” she says. “I was involved with destination management then and now.”
Her greatest challenge, she believes, is engaging the public, telling the story of the museum, the stories and the people who were part of the B&O and other railroads. “For the first half of our life here, we were building our collection,” she says. “Now it’s telling those stories and tying them to the future.”
On Saturday, the museum will celebrate the 191st anniversary of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, with several events through the day, starting at noon. The celebration actually starts on Thursday evening with a reception to honor Maggie Hudson, one of the surviving B&O “Porterettes” who worked for the railroad in the 1930s and 1940s.
In honoring Hudson, the museum continues its current special exhibit titled “Best in Service,” honoring African-Americans who worked for the B&O. Among those were Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, whose grandfather and uncle also worked for the B&O. The exhibit revolves around original paintings commissioned by the railroad in the 30s to promote its high levels of service. The paintings have been in storage for more than 50 years. In addition to the art, examples of magazine and newspaper advertising are displayed.
When Hoellen came to the museum, she was surprised there was so much to see. She believes the museum is positioned for growth, with new stories to be told. “We are on the west side of the city,” she says. “I hope we can be an anchor for that and contribute to the growth of the area.”
Asked about her favorite artifact in the collection, she quickly picked the “Merci” car, one of 48 French railway boxcars sent to the U.S. after World War II by the people of France to express their gratitude for the sacrifices made by American servicemen and women in battle as well as the generosity of the American people after the war. “We’re having discussions now about whether we should restore it or leave it original,” she says. “It’s a very complex subject.”
As for a smaller object, Hoellen said the museum has hundreds of smaller artifacts, many more than can be displayed. One item she finds fascinating is a pencil used by Abraham Lincoln. It’s kept locked in a safe except when it’s on display, she says.
What’s next for the B&O Museum? “In just nine years, we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the beginning of railroading in America,” she says. The first shovelful of earth was turned on July 4, 1828, by Charles Carroll, a signer of the Declaration of Independence 50 years earlier. She wants to museum to be a fun, interactive place, energizing and engaging to all visitors, to tell that story. That’s Kris Hoellen’s vision of the B&O Museum’s future.
I’m glad to hear she has a vision for telling the stories. Right now the B&O Museum is full of missed opportunities to connect with the public and draw them in to the historical experience of railroading. Even as a railfan, I find the museum kind of boring because it’s mostly a collection of stuff without explanations. They need a lot more signs and interactive exhibits.
That is an AWESOME Museum!!! Along with the National RR Museum in Green Bay WI, These 2 are tied for 1st in my world! Also love the fact that is has a Garden RR for kids to see the little stuff and the real big stuff, at the same time. Every RR museum should have that, Jus sayn!!!
I hope that they know that Charles Carroll was present at the laying of the First Stone July 4, 1828.