36 Miles of Trouble Railroad Museum

Henriette Mantel is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Please click on UPDATE to see the newest pictures of the spectacular opening of the Newfane RR Station museum.

Actually I'm just going to put some pictures up here. Above is all the equipment to communicate with the trains by Morse Code

below is the original sign my folks saved..

and the stove in the waiting room... with the original benches... all saved by Mom and Dad....

and more..

that's Dan Brook, Stationmaster

and here's the town/state sign out on Route 30. nice

and a few of the Patrons...

MORE TO COME!!!! Check out the updates page too. this is all too complicated for me... xoxo

LAST CALL to get your name on the spectacular RR bench!!!! if you haven't already given $100 OR if you would like to put someone else's name on the beautiful bench this is last call!!! I turn in all names to be lasered (fancy) into the bench on Friday! See you October 14!!!

The Newfane Vermont Railroad Station Museum will open on October 14, 2017 at noon with an opening ceremony at 1pm.

Most importantly because of all your generous donations the lobby is coming along beautifully and the bench is spectacular. Here are some pictures of the outside of the station at the moment.

And here is the official BENCH!!!!

Here is my dilemma:

I still have to put the names on the bench. I can't put them all over the bench or you will be sitting on your friends and relatives - however - I think I can fit them on the last rail on the top of the bench in a nice small font hopefully in bronze, brass or yes even- scrap metal. If anyone has any reasonably priced suggestions (other than a Sharpie) of how to put my $100+ donor names on the bench - I'm all ears. When I received all the greathearted donations I was so excited that I ding-batingly gave it all to the RR Museum Fund. Duh, I didn't save any out for the bench and names. Sooo, I had the bench made by Steven at robinsonwoodworking.com (that's his Dad Larry on the ladder in the above pictures). I guess the point I am getting to here is - if any of you have any friends who would love to donate or if you would love to up your donation OR if you would like to put the name of your cat, dog or your mother-in-law on bench, (for all eternity) this site still works perfectly!!!!

I hope everyone is enjoying their books/stationary/bookmarks. It was sincerely fun to touch base with so many old friends and know that my Mom, Dad and brother Jeff are so kindly remembered.

Here I am after working on this fundraiser:

Thanks so much! I'll update you guys when I get more information about the exciting opening on October 14th!! I love you ALL!!! byyyyyyeeeee....

Below is the original history that has been posted all along of this fundraiser or in other words - you don't have to read it again but the pictures are awesome.

In memory of my Mom and Dad, I'm here to help fund the restoration of an important slice of my hometown of Newfane Vermont's history. The West River Railroad ran from Brattleboro through Newfane to South Londonderry from 1880-1936. A lifetime Newfaner Fraye Brown owned it from 1936-1965 when she sold it to my Dad with the words, "I'm selling it you because I know you will do the right thing with it."

My family owned the station from 1965-2014, until after my mom's passing. The Windham County Historical Society now owns it. Mom was the president for years and always loved and facilitated keeping slices of history alive, especially in Newfane.

I have decided to help out with the restoration by raising $15000 or more to restore the main lobby. The entire renovation is more than $150,000 so this (to quote my Dad) "is a drop in the bucket." I think they have raised about $50,000. The building will be restored in historical perfection as we have donated the authentic original benches, signs etc . It will be a brilliant museum that is educational and certainly worthy of many class trips to educate the next generation about the "36 Miles of Trouble" that went through Newfane.

The homogenization of America kinda blows my mind so that is why I chose this memorial to my parents. Remember, I'm only asking for contributions for the Month of February. And I chose a short month probably more for my sanity than yours. I am so very grateful to anyone who donates any amount. I truly hope you'll want to commemorate a piece of The West River Railroad in memory of the 2 people that taught me how to give outside of myself. So here we are to save a piece of history that will live forever.

And here's a tip-of-the-hat to the best neighbor ever, the late Norm Brooks and his famous woodpile. He always kept an eye on the station....