Back again at the Reading Railroad Heritage Museum, in Hamburg, is the “Trains, trees and gingerbread” exhibit. The large model railroad is chugging along to some new scenery in the exhibit area just in time for the holidays.
Joining the main decorated tree in the exhibit room are eight trees decorated by area groups. Each tree has its own unique touch that is very fitting for each organization that decorated it. Participating groups this year in the tree decorating contest are Crystal Cave Park, Albright College (three groups helped decorate), Brownie Troop 11151 of Mohnton, Reading Railroad Heritage Museum, Pearl S. Buck House in Perkasie, Troop/Pack 237 LaSalle Academy in Shillington, John Paul II Center for Special Learning in Shillington and Palm Schwenkfelder Church in Palm.
Guests are given two raffle tickets with the purchase of a museum ticket to vote on their favorite tree. Next to each tree is some information on the organization as well as some tidbits on their choice or ornaments. Also along the outside are display cases with special holiday treats and printed recipes so that attendees can go home and try one or more.
In the center display cases are the entries for the gingerbread contest. Rather than just a gingerbread house, the creators were challenged with making a gingerbread train station. Based on the entries, it is safe to say that the challenge was met quite well.
Also in the exhibit room is a questionnaire on what the visitor would like to be in the gingerbread creations, such as a snowman and why, as well as a scavenger hunt that requires the attendees to pay close attention to their surroundings as all the answers can be easily found once they know where to look.
After voting on their favorites, guests can watch and listen to the large model trains zooming and chugging by as well as reading up on the history of the railroad.
This is the second year of the “Trains, trees and gingerbread” exhibit though the museum has done Christmas decorating and celebrating in the past. It was decided to have the exhibit once again after so many people requested it be done again after visiting last year.
One of the volunteers explained that his favorite part of the museum and these special events is meeting all of the new people that come from not just all over the area or country, but from all over the world. In the past he has met people from Germany, China and more stopping for a visit at the museum.
Be sure to stop by the museum located on at 500 S. Third Street in Hamburg to see the special “Trains, trees and gingerbread” exhibit which is open until Jan. 18. The museum is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
For more information, visit www.readingrailroad.org.
