FOUNDATION HISTORY

 The La Grange Railroad Museum was formed by the Ohio Valley Railroad Historical Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) IRS tax-exempt organization.This started as a vision of Robert (Bob) C. Widman, Sr.  (and 4 others)  as early as the mid to late 1990s. 

Their vision for this museum tooK many hours of research, contemplation, and contacts throughout the community to move forward. 

The acquisition of the outside train cars was a more significant challenge than could be written here. The current outside cars consist of a Steam Engine, 1929 Dining Car, L & N Caboose, and a train-yard jitney and flatbed. 

The estimated value of all the outside display units is between 500,000 and 1,000,00 dollars. So, as small historical museums are concerned, this museum enjoys significant value even before taking into account the interior historical artifacts.The transition from a model railroad club to a historical museum involved a mojor shift in focus and group mindset.

The shif also demaned a a mojor revamping of documentation, accounting, and transparency and regulatiory compliance.

Since 2019, the move to complete accountability, financial accountability, and required transparency has created community trust in our mission and our ability to complete the mission. That trust has morphed into a substantial investment in our internal and external improvements.