Category: Historic Site  |  Rating :

eReview: Steamtown National Historic Site

Location: Scranton, Pennsylvania

Review by R MUSTO

Located at the intersection of Lackawanna and Cliff Avenues in downtown Scranton, Pennsylvania is the Steamtown National Historic Site. The site was established in 1986, to educated visitors on the importance the steam railroad played in the development of the United States. Steamtown is the only site in the National Park System devoted to steam railroading.

Steamtown offers a Technology Museum and History Museum, which educate visitors on steam railroading by photos, artifacts and films. Young and old alike enjoy seeing the various steam locomotives, freight and passenger cars. Visitors can take walking tours of the Locomotive Repair Ship, which provides a first hand view of the extensive work needed to maintain a steam locomotive.

Steamtown also offers train rides, however its best to check ahead for the train schedule and to make reservations. Before leaving don’t forget to visit the Museum Shop and Bookstore for a book, video or maybe a Steamtown shirt.

After seeing Steamtown, stop by The Electric City Trolley Station & Museum, which is located on the Steamtown National Historic Site and learn about the history of the electric traction systems (Trolley). For shoppers a walkway connects Steamtown to the Steamtown Mall.

It takes several hours to a day to completely tour the Steamtown National Historic Site and Electric City Trolley Museum; both sites charge an admission fee. For more information visit the following websites: Steamtown National Historic Site: www.nps.gov/stea/ Electric City Trolley Museum: www.ectma.org/

--R. J. Musto