Trolley Museum 2024 Highlights, Looks Ahead To 2025, 125th Anniversary

EAST HAVEN, CT — The Shore Line Trolley Museum is celebrating all that was accomplished in 2024 and sets its sights on its quasquicentennial (125th) anniversary.

Here's a message to the community from Trolley Museum's Executive Director John Proto:

As 2024 comes to a close, I want to take a moment to thank you for the role you’ve played in making this year such a success for The Shore Line Trolley Museum and our community. Together, we’ve preserved history, inspired learning, and supported those in need

This year, we welcomed over 2,000 schoolchildren to our museum, offering them hands-on learning experiences that connected them to the history of the trolley and its role in shaping our region. We also hosted college interns exploring careers in railroad technology, history, and environmental studies, providing them with valuable real-world experience. These internships are helping to develop future leaders who will continue to preserve our collective heritage and environmental resources.

In 2024, we also partnered with the Connecticut Office of Film, Television and Digital Media to work with aspiring film producers, providing them with a unique location to create media productions. This collaboration not only gave students a hands-on opportunity to hone their craft but also highlighted our historic site as a living backdrop for storytelling, further expanding awareness of the museum’s mission and history.

Beyond education and outreach, we worked alongside local organizations to make a difference for our neighbors, helping to raise over $10,000 for services that provide food, healthcare, and support for victims of domestic violence. These efforts reflect the value of our relationships to the communities we serve.

Looking ahead to 2025, we are excited to mark an historic milestone: the 125th anniversary of our trolley line, a National Historic District since 1983. Since its construction in 1900, this trolley line has served as more than just a transit route—it has been a vital thread in the fabric of our community, fostering connections and opportunity. It is a living reminder of how the past informs the present, continuing to serve and inspire in much the same way it has for generations.

As we prepare to celebrate this quasquicentennial anniversary, we carry the momentum of 2024 forward, with gratitude for the support that has made these accomplishments possible. Your generosity, whether through your time, contributions, or engagement, ensures that The Shore Line Trolley Museum remains a place where history, education, and community come together.

Thank you for being an essential part of our journey this year. Together, we are building a stronger, more connected future while preserving the stories and legacies of our past. Wishing you a wonderful start to 2025.

Sincerely,

John Proto, Executive Director

Read more Patch stories about the Trolley Museum here >>

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