The National Museum of Transportation Rehabilition

Since the The National Museum of Transportation – originally known as the Transport Museum Association – first opened in 1944, it’s grown to include one of the largest collections of transportation vehicles in the world, with more than 190 rail and transit exhibits. And its footprint has grown to span over 42 acres with three levels of gardens. 

That means ongoing work from staff and volunteers is needed to continue the museum’s commitment to engaging education programs, interactive and interpretive exhibits, and conserving transportation history.

Museum board member and Missouri East Vice President and General Manager George Godat saw the museum’s needs firsthand and knew that Spire could make an impact.

Forward motion 

That’s when Spire went to work organizing volunteer days at the museum. By the end of 2022, teams of volunteers had spent several days making improvements throughout the museum, including: 

• Building a new deck at the Barrett Station Depot 
• Replacing the ramp at the “Train of Thought Education Railcar” 
• Transforming a hillside next to the library and archives building to help with water drain-off problems
• Creating the Spire Rain Garden 
• Completing significant landscaping work

And Spire helped fund the new interactive garden train area behind the Barrett Station Depot where guests can learn about the ways transportation and the environment interact. 

The museum could not have completed these projects without the equipment and resources provided by Spire, according to Museum Executive Director Terri McEachern.

"The commitment that Spire has made to the museum this year is remarkable,” McEachern said.

Watch Spire in action at the museum below. 

George Godat recently had the opportunity to talk to Lauren Elwell from Hubbard radio about the relationship between Spire and the museum on their Sunday morning “Talk of the Town.” Listen here: https://talkofthetown.hubbardradiostl.com

To learn more about the National Museum of Transportation, visit their website.