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Operated by the Western Connecticut A tower operator would operate SoNo Switch Tower Museum - Tripadvisor Well, aside from a bite of the worlds most expensive chocolate across the street or perhaps a wooden shoe fitting next door? Last edited on 19 September 2022, at 00:36, New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, "The History Behind the SoNo Switch Tower Museum: Cameron on Transportation", "SoNo Switch Tower finds internet fan base", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=SoNo_Switch_Tower&oldid=1111039278, This page was last edited on 19 September 2022, at 00:36. South Norwalk, Connecticut - Wikipedia At this museum, you can explore the key purpose served by the switch tower in the bygone era. Strain Family Horse Farm Cowboy Museum, 222. The line of towers from Grand Central Terminal included: The 68-lever Armstrong machine was a feature of the 1880s-built tower. The tower operated until 1986, when it was decommissioned by Metro-North Railroad following the centralizing of dispatching at Grand Central Terminal in New York City. towers were staffed by operators who would actually operate the switch SoNo Switch Tower Museum Hotels Featured hotels near SoNo Switch Tower Museum See the latest prices and deals by choosing your dates. VISIT. We're hiring. You will not spend much time in the museum but when in South Norwalk (SONO) it is worth a visit. It also covers the history of how essential railway operations were managed and developed. Theyd give instructions to the switch towers as to where they were heading so they knew which switches to throw. Soon, this page will be updated to include information about visiting South Norwalk, CT and the Museum. It was only fitting I took the train to So Norwalk train station to visit SoNo Switch Tower Museum. Historic 1890s New Haven Railroad switch tower, features the only Armstrong switch lever machine in Connecticut. 3 floors to explore. Youll be able to understand what life was like for its past owners and discover the local lifestyle from the turn of the century. Some model switch towers. BLOG. Read More Location: 77 Washington St. Norwalk, CT 06854 Hours: Sat. We wanted to visit since the website says it is open on Sundays, but the gate is locked and there is a sign indicating the facility doesn't open until May 2022. Its a fun little place and one that used to be rather crappy and run down. SONO Switch Tower Museum | Museum in Norwalk | 77 Washington Street Amazing. UConn Public Art Collection (8 of 30), 128. Day Trip to South Norwalk, CT - Joanna E Please explore the Museum's website and come explore the Museum! One must climb up the steep stairs on the back of the building to reach the switch tower, but once up there, an important piece of railroading history is right there totally accessible. St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, Inc. The Brea Museum is operated by the Brea Historical Society, a non-profit organization. 77 Washington Street, South Norwalk, CT The SONO Switch Tower Museum is located in the fully restored 1896-built Switch Tower in South Norwalk, CT. Railroads used "towers" to house the mechanism of switching trains from one track to another. June 13, 2009, [If you're interested in railroading stuff in Connecticut, check out my Railfan Depot page here.]. Definitely worth a visit if you find it open. More Links Here 12 Summer Experiences You Just Can't Have in the City, Outdoor Summer Concert Series & Festivals 2023, Connecticut Summer at the Museum 2023 - Free Admission for Kids. SoNo Switch Tower Museum 4.5 43 reviews #8 of 29 things to do in Norwalk Speciality Museums Visit website Call Write a review What people are saying " Closed until May " Mar 2022 We wanted to visit since the website says it is open on Sundays, but the gate is locked and there is a sign indicating the facility doesn't open until May 2022. The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museumwas once owned by LeGrand Lockwood and Charles Drelincourt Mathews. And it has been restored and filled with beautiful artifacts that were popular at the time, making for a truly immersive experience! A large part of the fun I have with CTMQ is seeking out the unknown. They don't take credit. Small (it's entirely in the switch tower), but enthusiastically run - it's so good to see places like this making the effort to open up to the public, when in reality there's a very small number of people who are actually interested - ie you do have to be at least a train enthusiast, if not a signalling nutter to truly appreciate this. The area hosts a variety of shopping, dining, and entertainment for all ages. The volunteers love their jobs and share their extensive knowledge of the early and current rail lines. Joe Webb Peoples Museum of Natural History*, 216. 77 Washington Street, South Norwalk, CT SONO Switch Tower Museum Photo Albums Main Album Splash Festival 2004 More Links Here Copyright 2004. Staff was very friendly and helpful. SoNo, for all you non-Nutmeggers, refers to the revitalized section of Norwalk towards the southern end (i.e., "SOuth NOrwalk"). [1], The museum includes a webcam allowing viewers to watch trains passing the tower on the Northeast Corridor; it has been noted for its popularity among railfans online. Might be 5 miles, might be 500 feet, I dont know). 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There were 2 of us, we happily donated $20. Through the Brea Museum and Heritage Center, the Society provides a place for education, investigation, research, and community gatherings. It was so named because it required strong arms to operate the manual switches using hundreds of yards of connected piping. Massive switches were manually thrown by each tower along the train tracks that handled a section. The museum delves into the story of "Signal Station 44," and its 88-year old history, as well as the . The building itself is quite unique. It's a good hour for the whole tour. (Donations are appreciated). The three-level tour has the main switch room in the upper floor (with a great view of the adjacent railroad junction); laid out as it was when in use. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. The SoNo Switch Tower Museum offers a unique look into the history of the railroad industry, but its just the start of a, line of towers from Grand Central Terminal, Stanton House Inn is a historic bed and breakfast inn, ferry to see the Sheffield Island Lighthouse, things to do in Norwalk, CT then take a look at our guide with all of the top activities curated just for you, Calf Pasture Beach: Where to Experience Summer Bliss in Norwalk, Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum: A Glimpse into Gilded Age Luxury, The Norwalk Historical Society Museum: Norwalks Hidden Gem, South Norwalk CT: Where History Meets Modernity, Ice Cream in Greenwich: Top Spots to Scoop Up Happiness, Directions to Greenwich, CT, and Stanton House Inn. Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps. Going down a flight of stairs to the 2nd floor, we were able to see the massive gears that the levers turned, which in turn moved track up to a mile away (note I have no idea how accurate that statement is. Welcome to the SONO Switch Tower Museum! - westctnrhs.org A Porsche-like showroom for MacLaren baby strollers. East Haddam Historical Society Museum, 24. SONO Switch Tower Museum occupies an ancient, 19th-century switch tower. I live right down the street and popped in for a quick look. Greenwich, CT 06830 The Museum's spectacular exhibits tell the story of the history of Brea from its founding in 1917 to the present. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, 90. Whether a past exhibitor or first time attendee, we're excited to have you join us for our three-day conference event, For a $300 registration fee, exhibitors will receive one table space in our exhibitor's area, a full conference registration for one attendee (including meals), and inclusion in SCFM web and social media promotion for conference. The SoNo Switch Tower Museum is one such museum. Historical photos adorned the walls, but really, the star attraction here are the switches. As far as top-rated bed and breakfasts near the museum, youll have to look a bit farther. Show more. Sherwood Island State Park Nature Center, 176. It also includes interactive exhibits and educational programs to help bring the past to life. Peter Greenwood Glass Blowing Studio, 153. The origination of the switching technology is a fascinating story and one that led to important advancements throughout industry. The Museum's spectacular exhibits tell the story of the history of Brea from its founding in 1917 to the present. It was very cool to see the switch tower and learn about how train move from one track to another. Leave a donation to keep these railfans' dreams alive. Yale University Art & Architecture Galleries, 84. Description. The Society encourages students, citizens, and visitors alike to explore our many histories, our roots, and to uncover the events, people, and stories that have shaped Brea in the past and continue to shape it into the future. Towers were used by railroads to control areas of track, preventing trains from crashing. The tour guides gave me a fascinating presentation and answered my many questions. SoNo Switch Tower Museum: Experience the Golden Age of Railroads SoNo Switch Tower Museum | Visit CT CT Audubon Society Center (Glastonbury), 42 & 39. HOME. The three-level tour has the main switch room in the upper floor (with a great view of the adjacent railroad junction); laid out as it was when in use. we happened by one day when they were open and running tours. SONO Switch Tower Museum is located in the fully restored 1896-built Ahhh, Connecticut I love you when you fulfill the expected national stereotype. The The SoNo Switch Tower Museum offers a unique look into the history of the railroad industry, but its just the start of a CT day trip to Norwalk. With its detailed exhibits, visitors can explore every aspect of it, from the early days of locomotives to modern-day trains. ctmuseumquest.com is not affiliated with any museums anywhere and never will be. and Sun., 12 noon-5 p.m. and by appt. CT Audubon Society Center at Pomfret, 112. Creative Arts Workshop Galleries (2), 231. The museum has a webcam that allows visitors to watch trains pass by the tower on the Northeast Corridor; its popular among online railfans. The railroad at this time period was a dangerous place to work. 5757 Wilshire Blvd Ca 90036, Los Angeles, CA 90036-5810. In the meantime, please visit www.ctbound.org, Connecticut's tourism website for more information about traveling in Connecticut. No sleeping on this job. Jewish Historical Society of Greater Hartford, 167. You will enjoy the stimulating, interesting, didactic & entertaining historical information on Brea: Past & Present. You get to try out throwing the switches (hooked up to display tracks, not . The place is really neat and the guides are knowledgeable and enthusiastic about switches and train history. Dont believe me? Historic 1890s New Haven Railroad switch tower, museum features the only "Armstrong" switch lever machine in Connecticut. thus changing the direction of the track. Stepping Stones Museum for Children 253 Children's Museums By Noahgarcia890 Stratton Brook State Park Nature Center, 127. Nevertheless, if you're in the area and have an interest in trains, drop by - it is interesting, and the volunteers are very enthusiastic and knowledgeable. This little museum is an enthusiasts mecca. I suppose youre still wondering what this museum is even celebrating, huh? They also housed the mechanism for changing trains from one track to another. And seeing this stuff in action is even cooler. SoNo Switch Tower - Wikipedia Yes, because the interlocking is one of the first logic circuits ever invented in industry. more. This is a fun game good for the family based on the original Monopoly game by Haspro. CONTACT. A very important task but at that time job. Childrens Museum of Southeastern Connecticut, 134. Try your hand at throwing the levers, just as the tower operators did for 88 years. Okay, okay Here goes: This switch tower was a vital part of our industrial and railroading history. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. We found 1,580 things to do for you near La Brea Tar Pits and Museum. Randomly found this while walking around - awesome. The New Haven Railroad spanned much of the south of New England between 1872 and 1968, operating more than 2,000 miles of track by 1912. SoNo Switch Tower - Wikiwand SoNo Switch Tower is a preserved switch tower in Norwalk, Connecticut, in the United States. Mystic Seaport; Museum of America and the Sea, 28. The interlocking is not only a landmark in the history of safe railroading, it is a landmark in the history of the computers that all of us now use everyday. I speak from experience living with one! Super small but steeped in history and the folks there were sweet, patient and super knowledgeable. Staff on each floor explain the in and outs how the switch tower works. SoNo Switch Tower Museum, located in Norwalk. And its the only Armstrong switch lever machine left in Connecticut. tracks by throwing levers in the tower. Chapter, National Railway Historical Society, 77 Washington But it is the rare museum that is entirely unique in and of itself. East Granby Historical Society Museum, 248. Discover the important function performed in this building, while watching trains pass by. A vital cog in the New York, New Haven and Hartfords main line service between New Haven and New York City, Tower 44 worked hard for the railroad from its opening on July 5th, 1896 until its retirement in 1984! Others in the family worked the railroad in New York with the Harlem River Gang. After climbing up the small staircase we entered into the both where the switch tower controller did his very important job. We visited the SoNo switch tower Museum. Staff on each floor explain the in and outs how the switch tower works. If youre looking for even more explorations into history while in SoNo, a few historic locations nearby include: This 1868 house is a great place to check out. Berlin Historical Museum at the Berlin Fair, 194. Welcome to the SONO Switch Tower Museum! - westctnrhs.org Its one of those semi-success stories of downtown revitalization through an infusion of cash, credit and yuppie-ism. and Sun., 12 noon-5 p.m. and by appt. Click Here for Details Click Here to Donate to the SONO Switch Tower Museum! Quinebaug and Burlington Trout Hatcheries, 41. Connecticut Norwalk Sono Switch Tower Museum Opening hours Manage this page The daily opening times of Sono Switch Tower Museum in Norwalk Source The following overview lists the visiting hours for Sono Switch Tower Museum in Norwalk. This is a good stop for most everyone but is not for anyone who would have trouble with stairs. Website Design by Q4Launch. [2], New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad. Primavera Sculpture. Each guide is sticky a volunteer. The exhibits tell the unique story of Brea and how this city fits in to the larger history of California and of the United States. A captivating relic from the 1890s can be found on Washington Street in South Norwalk, where you'll be met by . Youll also get to see some of the amazing machinery that made this mode of transportation possible. The tower operated until 1986, when it was decommissioned by Metro-North Railroad following the centralizing of dispatching at Grand Central Terminal in New York City. The History Behind the SoNo Switch Tower Museum: Cameron on For each additional booth representative (up to 3 total), pricing increases the amount equivalent to a full conference registration, Association of Nature Center Administrators, American Association for State and Local History. While we were up there we watched a few trains go by. Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more. Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more. 2nd floor and other wonderful guide with great insight to 1896 when the tower was built and the amazing equipment we were looking at. South Norwalk, also known as SoNo is an eclectic neighborhood in Norwalk, Connecticut. SONO Switch Tower Museum, Norwalk | cityseeker When youre nearing the end of a day-long CTMQ day of museuming, what could be better than a decidedly quirky little museum to put that pep back in your step? SoNo Switchtower Museum Learn about this unique job and all about railroads As part of our walk through the SoNo Arts Festival we visited this small museum and listened to a talk about how trains were operated as recently as the 1970s. This page will soon be updated with the history of Get new content delivered directly to your inbox. The 2023 AASLH Annual Conference theme draws on the broadening concept of American identity that is found in Making History At 250: The Field Guide for the Semiquincentennial. Located in the beautifully restored Switch Tower originally built in 1896, the SONO Switch Tower Museum showcases the history of the "towers" used by railroads to house the mechanism used to switch trains from one track to another.
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