Michigan Museum Delays Opening

The Steam Railroading Institute in Owosso, Michigan, has announced that it is delaying its opening for the season.

In a notice posted on its website, the museum said it was acting in compliance with a state stay-at-home order as well as to protect public health and the safety of visitors, volunteers and staff.

It is the second time this year the SRI has delayed its opening. It posted a similar postponement notice in March.

The latest notice did not give any indication as to when the museum might open for 2020.

In an unrelated development, the June meeting of the Michigan Railroad Club has been canceled due to state social distancing restrictions.

The Detroit area where the club is based has been among the hardest hit in the state.

Michigan RR Museum Names Executive Director

A Michigan railroad museum has named its first executive director. Kimberlee Beck Wendt took over at the New Buffalo Railroad Museum on March 2.

She will be the museum’s first executive director since it was established in 1989.
Wendt most recently served as the communications and events manager for Great Lakes Marketing Services Inc. in Kalamazoo, Mich.

She has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Michigan State University.

“Kimberlee brings a diverse experience skill-set which we anticipate will serve the New Buffalo Railroad Museum in a most effective manner,” said museum board President Katha Kissman.

“I am excited to be named as the first executive director of the New Buffalo Railroad Museum; to guide the energy of its growth thus far,” Wendt said.

The museum features a replica of the original Pere Marquette depot, built from the original blueprints; a Chessie System boxcar; and a World War II Pullman troop sleeper.

The collection also includes hundreds of photographs and memorabilia, and an extensive model train layout maintained by the Duneland Model Railroad Club.

The museum recently received a $10,000 grant from the Pokagon Fund board of directors. That followed receipt of a $30,000 grant in late 2014 from an anonymous donor.

For more information, go to new-buffalo-railroad-museum.org.