The Museum
The Minnesota Streetcar Museum collects, restores, and
exhibits electric streetcars that operated in Minnesota.
The collection includes streetcars from Minneapolis and
St. Paul, Duluth, Winona, Moorhead, and the Iron Range.
The Museum holds the largest collection of Minnesota streetcars
anywhere.
The Museum maintains an extensive collection of books, photographs, and reference documents relating to the history of electric railways in Minnesota. It includes the definitive collection on the Twin City Rapid Transit Company. The collection is available to members of the community through educational outreach and interpretative programs.
The Museum preserves and commemorates the history of electrically powered public transit in Minnesota through community related educational and interpretive programs and exhibits.
The Ride
The Minnesota Streetcar Museum operates two separate
demonstration railways that operate from May through November.
The Como-Harriet Streetcar Line, located in the Linden Hills neighborhood of Minneapolis, operates on a mile of former Twin City Rapid Transit Company right-of-way between Lakes Harriet and Calhoun.
The Excelsior Streetcar Line operates in the City of Excelsior on one-half mile of track on the former Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway right-of-way through the south side of Excelsior.
Volunteers
The motormen and conductors (men and women) who operate
the streetcars are all volunteers. Volunteers are active
in restoring and maintaining the streetcars, buildings,
grounds, overhead wire, and track. There are additional
volunteer opportunities to help in the Museum station,
to assist with Museum publicity, and to become involved
with outreach programs in the community and area schools.
Volunteer support is also welcome with other administrative,
financial, and fundraising functions.
Join Us
You are invited to participate in the work of bringing
the mission of The Minnesota Streetcar Museum to life.
You can have the thrill of helping rejuvenate an historic
streetcar in the restoration shops at both Lake Harriet
and Excelsior, operate a streetcar at both sites, swing
a spike mau,l or help with the myriad tasks that keep
us "on track" and running smoothly. There are
many projects that you can do at home if you cannot come
to our two sites regularly. Of course you can always support
the Museum with your financial gifts, both large and small,
and follow our progress through the Museum's publications.
Support
Financial support comes from many sources that have donated
generously to acquire, house, and restore the priceless
collection of Minnesota streetcars.
Benefits
Membership is accompanied by benefits: