Mission Statement
To collect, preserve, and display items related to mass transportation from the past, present, and future.
We plan to contruct overhead wire to operate our trolley cars to present to an ever-growing population who have never experienced what was a once-common part of urban society.
To educate people young and old so that this information, artifacts, and such are not lost and forgotten in the future.
Description
Our Museum has two elements to it separated only by geography.
The Depot Museum itself is in the 1859 former Chicago, Detroit, and Canada Grand Trunk Junction Railway station, whose claim to fame was when a young Thomas Edison saved the Station Agent's small child from certain death and as a reward, the Station Agent taught young Tom telegraphy. Some of this brilliant inventor's earliest inventions were based on what he learned here at the depot.
Inside, we have many displays, artifacts and photographs of trolleys, interurbans, streetcars and trams- the main focus of our museum. We also have some local historical items featuring the freight and passenger railroads including the former owner of the depot, Grand Trunk, and it's corporate successor, Canadian National, whose tracks still run past the station. Although there are no passenger trains on the line, freight trains roll past many times a day. We feature a gift shop stocked with many books, videos, maps, trinkets, and various other items. The Museum also has a library with a vast selection of railroad and streetcar books, videos, and reference materials for our members to peruse.
The depot itself is on the National Register of Historic Places and is the City of Mount Clemens' first designated Historic District. On the grounds we also have a speeder (motorcar) shed which we commonly refer to as the toolhouse, where many of our projects take shape and basic repair work is done.
The MTM also has an operating train that our trained and qualified operators run during the summer and fall months as a demonstration train to educate riders about the history of the rail line, the area, and the equipment itself. Also, we've partnered with Clinton Township Parks and Recreation for many years now, to run a wonderful Christmas train program during the Christmas holiday season.
We are currently looking to expand our train operations to include a shop building to work in and store the equipment out of the elements. We also would like to expand our educational reach to include lectures and presentations at schools, retirement homes, librarys, and more. The MTM is an ever-changing organization that has faced many challenges in the last few years and looks forward to meeting those challenges and growing in a positive direction.
