Great Northern Railway Historical Society
Although the Great Northern Railway has been gone from the Pacific Northwest scene for many years, it still has a fan
club. The Great Northern Railway Historical Society has between 23 and 24 thousand members world-wide. Their purpose is the preservation, study and history of all aspects of the Great Northern Railway.
What does that have to do with the Ferry County Historical Society? Apparently, quite a lot. Although all the Ferry County buildings and tracks associated with the Great Northern are gone, the road bed, the Curlew Lake trestle, the tunnel north of Curlew, and the Historical Society’s collection of railroad photographs are still here and they can help both organizations accomplish their missions.
The Great Northern Railway Historical Society has purchased the right to reproduce some of the FCHS’s historic photographs in a booklet called a “reference sheet”. Some of the GN’s members are experts at enhancing historic photos. They will give back to the FCHS images that are better than those they received.
The Great Northern Railway Historical Society also maintains a Heritage Fund which is used for grants to heritage organizations for exhibits, structures and other interpretive activities relating to the Great Northern. The FCHS, which has joined the GNRWHS, anticipates working closely with the organization in interpreting local railroad history to the public. Their resources also include a quarterly magazine, an annual calendar, a traveling model railroad exhibit, a fully functional retired G.N. locomotive called the “Hustle Muscle”, and much more.
Thank you Stonerose!
In an effort to better serve the public and to get “housekeeping” chores done without the distraction of visitors, the Stonerose Fossil Interpretive Center has stayed open this winter. This has allowed the FCHS museum to stay open for a few hardy winter visitors. The Stonerose staff turns the lights on for visitors as needed, monitors the heat, answers questions and opens the Kaufman Cabin for visitors if desired. Winter hours at the Stonerose Interpretive Center are Monday through Saturday, from 8 am until 5 pm.
