Lodi Railroad Museum

The Lodi Railroad Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational and historical organization located in Lodi, Ohio. Its primary mission is to preserve and educate the public about the historical influence of railroads on the Village of Lodi and Harrisville Township.

History

The museum's journey began when a "Save the Depot" committee was formed in October 2005 to prevent the demolition of the historic Lodi depot, originally built by the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway in the late 1880s. After receiving guidance from the Orrville Railroad Heritage Society (ORHS), the committee successfully negotiated with the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway to secure the depot. The museum officially received the deed to the depot on December 21, 2008.

Mission and Activities

The Lodi Railroad Museum aims to:

• Preserve and restore the Lodi Depot to its historically accurate condition from the late 1920s.
• Educate the community about the railroad's impact on the local area.
• Portray accurately the history of Lodi and Harrisville Township.
• Collaborate with other railroad museums to preserve historical artifacts and knowledge.
• Participate in educational programs like Operation Lifesaver to promote railroad safety awareness.

The museum is also involved with the Ohio Rail Tourism Association. It owns historical railroad equipment, including an ex-Norfolk & Western Railway caboose, which adds to its educational exhibits.

Operations

The museum operates on a limited schedule, typically open on the fourth Sunday of each month from April to October. It organizes various events and programs to engage the community and promote railroad history and safety.

Educational Role

As part of its educational activities, the museum provides Operation Lifesaver certified safety presentations to educate the public on highway-rail crossing safety and trespassing prevention. These presentations are available to schools, businesses, and community groups.

By preserving railroad history and promoting safety awareness, the Lodi Railroad Museum plays a vital role in its community's cultural and educational landscape.