The Western Railway Museum was selected for a $311,000 grant to support the Jenson Memorial Car House, a 38,000-square-foot building that will display

Article Published: Saturday, March 05, 2005

Rail museum shares in state endowment

The Reporter, Vacaville

The Western Railway Museum near Suisun is moving full steam ahead in its effort to preserve railroad history.

The museum was selected for a $311,000 grant in the competitive grab for funds from the newly created California Cultural and Historical Endowment, officials said.

The state's funds will go to support the Jenson Memorial Car House, a 38,000-square-foot building that will display the railroad artifacts in the museum's collection.

The car house will protect the items from the elements of wind and rain, said Phil Kohlmetz, the museum's executive director.

"The museum has been serving Solano County since 1960. Although we're well regarded, we've never really gone out to the community and asked for financial support for our preservation projects,'' Kohlmetz said.

"It was time to change that, and we are delighted to see the state support our efforts to preserve and interpret this unique thread of California history.''

With the state grant, the museum is within 70 percent of its $2.1 million fund-raising goal. The museum is adding volunteers and expanding its campaign committee to make sure the fund-raising goal is reached, Kohlmetz said.

The Western Railway Museum is open 10:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. It is halfway between Suisun City and Rio Vista at 5848 Highway 12.

For more information, visit www.wrm.org or call 374-2978.