KINGMAN – Local railroad history is coming back to life.

Members of the Kingman Railroad Museum have been organizing and reorganizing the last few weeks hoping to get the gallery of memorabilia and model trains chugging along before Independence Day weekend. The plan is to reopen Friday, July 2.

The museum has been closed since March 2020 due to COVID 19 restrictions. Volunteer members have been spending the last few weeks cleaning, rearranging and trying to find ways making the museum experience better overall.

Museum secretary Jennifer French said the closing put a mild damper on the train enthusiasts – many of them retirees – who gladly spend their time operating the place.

“We had a lot of old people who didn’t have anything to do,” she said.

French and her cohorts are ready to welcome the public back.

“We have a lot of train buffs who like to visit,” she said. “We’re also a big attraction for the Route 66 fans.”

Like other small, local tourist nuggets, the museum is one more addition to the downtown landscape.

“The more attractions we have, the more people might stay in town a bit longer,” French said. “They might stay and spend a little more money.”

Opening weekend is a soft-opening weekend. There will be giveaways for children that include train whistles and Independence Day-themed trinkets. There will also be hourly gift drawings on July 4.

French was planning to have food vendors on site, but said they’re already booked for the holiday weekend.

About 30 members/volunteers help staff and run the museum. French estimates about six-thousand people visit annually.

Admission is $2 for adults. Children under 12 are free. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

“We do this for the city and community,” French said.

The museum is located at 402 E. Andy Devine Avenue inside the historic train depot.

For more information, visit the Kingman Railroad Museum Facebook page.

Aaron Ricca