Trolley Museum of New York

Our Story

The Trolley Museum of New York (TMNY) was founded in 1955 in Brooklyn by Everett A. White and a passionate group of volunteers determined to preserve the fading history of rail transportation. We began with just four trolleys, including a Brill car from Atlantic City and a Brooklyn PCC. However, finding a permanent home for our collection proved difficult, and for years, our trolleys were scattered across New York City, from Staten Island to Coney Island.

An unfortunate incident in Philadelphia, where donated trolleys were scrapped, almost marked the end of our journey. However, this setback led to an unexpected opportunity: word of the loss reached Kingston, NY, and in 1983, we finally found a home on the Rondout Waterfront.

We started with just one gasoline-powered car but quickly grew, adding more trolleys and building a trolley barn. Despite facing significant challenges, including a devastating fire in 1991 and the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy, our dedicated volunteers never gave up. Their hard work and passion are what brought us to where we are today—a thriving museum preserving and celebrating the history of rail transportation.