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 Monon Connection Museum - Monon, IN Posted by:  DnRseekers
N 40° 53.905 W 086° 52.813
16T E 510089 N 4527487
A Fantastic Must See Museum!
Waymark Code: WMBBN7
Location: Indiana, United States
Date Posted: 05/01/2011
Views: 7
This place is fantastic! We happened across it by accident on the way from a county fair and had no idea of what a gem we had stumbled across. We were given a tour of the place by the owner himself. I came to understand we just got lucky having him as our tour guide but the result was we left the museum utterly awestruck. The collection of course has local connections to the Monon line but it is way more than that. Artifacts come from all over the nation and they are not there just because every museum has to have one. No, each one is there because it is ever so unique and special.
If you are a true rail fan try to call ahead and see if arrangements can be made to meet the owner. All I can say is it will be an experience you will remember for your lifetime. It is the most memorable visit to any railroad museum I have ever been to in my life. I am sure he told us more about the items he collected than any other tour guide could just by sheer numbers but I was never bored for a second. We spent several hours with him.
Just as an ever so weak example of the authenticity, he has an entire station inside the building on display and I remember looking at the details in the station. In the attendant’s office, just as it were in the days of its’ operation, were stacks of brand new un-issued tickets, unused railroad stationary still in the original paper wrapper sat on the shelves in the back. Every little detail was perfect down to the tiniest of detail! I have never seen anything like it! And that is just a small example of all we saw. Each turn brought stories of what we were looking at and what made the one we were seeing so special from others.
If I had a criticism of the museum it is that it is so impossible to know all the details and "one of a kind" things you are looking at when you see them without someone so special himself as your guide. There are no markers saying you are looking at the only one of this item known to exist or such. Each item has so much history behind it and the owner knows all of it, not only where and when it came from but even how it came to be and who held it on its journey.
On the outside of the museum is a fair sized collection of rail memorabilia to enjoy and there is a nice looking restaurant that adjoins the museum themed of course in rail motif. I'd love to report on it as well but we couldn't pull ourselves away from the museum long enough to get any food. It was not just a snack bar or the likes, it was a full service restaurant and looked worthy of a nice meal.
Another point to add about this place, it is not for unruly children. The collection is right out where you can touch a piece of history (but I’m not suggesting you should, by all means be respectful). There are very few "ropes" or impediments to the items on display. You can put your nose right up on them. It is REAL and PERSONAL. A bus full of elementary children visiting this museum would leave it in shambles. It is not set up for that. It is set up to give you an “experience” of history, not just an observation of it. If attendance were to rise dramatically I am sure things will have to change but right now it is what a history buff dreams of finding. Go see the place as soon as you can but keep it a secret!
When visiting the museum please post a picture of your favorite item in the collection (inside or out) and if you were able to grab a bite in the restaurant take a photo or comment on the food or atmosphere. Let us all know how it was :-)
Museum Website: [Web Link]
Train ride provided?: no
Actual railroad cars or locomotives on display?: yes
Admission fee?: $8
Street Address: Museum is located 1.5 miles North of Monon, Indiana on US. 421
Gift shop?: yes
Café/restaurant?: yes
Theater?: no
Other features?:
From the museum's web site:
The Monon Connection Museum and Whistle Stop Restaurant,located 1 ½ miles north of Monon,IN. on Hwy. 421, offers a world class collection of artifacts and memorabilia from the railroads bygone era.
Museum exhibits include an exquisite display of dining car china and silver, hundreds of hand-held lanterns, some dating back to pre Civil War, dozens of immaculately restored brass steam locomotive bells and whistles, a completely furnished, full size replica of an Illinois Central depot, plus numerous other authentic pieces that will enable visitors of all ages to relive a time when the railroad was the king of the transportation industry.
The Whistle Stop Restaurant, which is adjacent to the museum, offers a full service menu that includes a variety of sandwiches and dinner entree’s , homemade pies, top quality hand-dipped and soft-serve ice cream, all served in a comfortable and theme related dining room, or on the outside dining patio under an intricately designed steel gazebo.
The Museum and Restaurant also available for private groups and tours and may be reserved by calling 219-253-4101
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Visit Instructions:
1. Visit the museum. 2. Provide your thoughts/experience of this visit. 3. Provide a photograph of your visit to this museum. A GPSr photo is NOT required.
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