Gifts to Mid-Continent
The vision of Mid-Continent’s founders to restore a single steam locomotive and a few coaches in which to give train rides was pretty modest by today’s standards. Their image of a small operating museum has grown over the years into the experience we all now enjoy at our North Freedom location, where the era of vintage train travel remains an exciting adventure. Ticket and gift shop sales have never been enough to keep these trains rolling. It takes the charitable support of members and friends to cover the huge costs of being one of the most respected museums for the preservation of our railroad heritage.
Please join us by making your own contribution to one of the museum programs listed below. Every donation is acknowledged with a formal receipt affirming your financial support as fully tax deductible. Donations can be made by clicking the Donate Now button, mailing in a printable donation form, or calling the museum office. Instructions are provided below the list of donation options.
Mid-Continent is a not-for-profit, educational entity, incorporated in the state of Wisconsin and accredited by the Internal Revenue Service as a 501(c)(3) organization.
Steam FundGifts to this fund will benefit the restoration of the former Chicago & North Western No. 1385 to full working order. When complete you will be able to enjoy a train ride powered by this 1907 built ten-wheeler, famous for its goodwill tours of the 1980s. |
Volunteers at work on C&NW No. 1385. |
Wood Car RestorationA tour through the Coach Shed is the best way to experience the stunning success achieved in restoring Mid-Continent’s wooden car collection. There are many more pieces on our property in need of this same type of treatment and gifts to this fund help us to revitalize the marvelous craftsmanship hidden beneath the age and deterioration of these once marvelous relics. |
Car Shop volunteers prepare a caboose built in 1924 for repainting. |
EducationMid-Continent’s charitable status is based on its role in sharing information about the railroad history of the upper Midwest during the Golden Age of Railroads, 1880 – 1916. We do this through the publication of our quarterly magazine, the Mid-Continent Railway Gazette, our annual calendar, this website, and in various exhibits using items from our archival collection. Gifts to this fund help to insure that these products continue to reveal the wonders of our past at the highest quality possible. |
Display cases being installed in the depot waiting room. |
Dining ServicesGuests can travel in style on board a diner/lounge or private business car as part of the museum’s First Class and Dinner services provided during a few of our special events. Care of these railroad cars, plus the enhancement of their furniture and fixtures, incur costs that exceed the revenues generated through ticket sales, even though we charge a premium fare. Gifts help us to further enhance the beauty and elegance of these cars for a more historic and a more pleasurable experience. |
The lounge area of Chicago & North Western #440, a former business car built in 1929 now used by Dining Services. |
EngineeringThe least glamorous aspect of our work is the maintenance of a significant infrastructure consisting of track, bridges, buildings, highway crossings, signals, lighting, sewer and water lines. But these are the things that make our operation safe and comfortable for the benefit of museum guests and volunteers. Even a virtual Tour of the Grounds will impart a fair idea how extensive this capital investment has become. Gifts made to this fund will help us maintain the things we often take for granted but serve to create the image of an early 20th Century rail yard. |
New ballast being spread on Mid-Continent's track. |
General FundSometimes the most powerful gift is the one that is made without restriction. The General Fund was established to allow museum management the discretion to use its unrestricted gifts where they are most needed. Your gifts to this fund will help us meet the most pressing need. |
Repairs being made to Mid-Continent's wheelchair lift. |
OtherIf you have a different project that you would like to support that is not listed here and is not available via our online donation system, please either contact our office or use the printable donation form and write in the project of your choosing. |
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Contact Us
To make an immediate contribution by using your credit card, click on the Donate Now buttons to support the program you find of greatest personal interest. The option for which project you would like to support will be given at Step 2 of the donation process.
If you prefer to donate by check, please fill out the printable donation form for the desired purpose(s) and mail it along with your check to:
Mid-Continent Railway Historical Society
PO Box 358
North Freedom, WI 53951
Please feel free to call our office using our toll free number, 800-930-1385, if you have any questions about the best way to support the museum. Your charitable gift will be used entirely as you direct or, if left unrestricted, where we have the greatest need.