2137 West 250th Street, Lomita, California 90717
2016 End of Year Review
Dear Lomita Railroad Museum Friends & Supporters –
What an eventful year this has been for the Lomita Railroad Museum!
First and foremost, this year marks the 50th anniversary of our museum’s founding by Mrs. Irene Lewis. We celebrated the museum’s birthday at Community Day, Aug. 27th, with the grand opening of our newly refurbished 1949 Atchison, Topeka, & Santa Fe caboose, entertainment for all ages, crafters and businesses, and great food. Special guests included members of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis’ families, elected officials, and over 450 members of the community. It was a wonderful day and you can read more in the Lomita City Newsletter online.
We have to congratulate the Lomita Parks & Recreation Department and Museum staff on the successful children’s events they held throughout this year at the museum. Easter & Pictures with the Bunny. Harry Potter Day. Halloween at the Museum. And throughout the summer, the museum hosted grant-funded program that brought several hundred school children to the museum for special programs.
And finally, again this year in December, Santa came to the Museum! Over 650 children & their parents came for pictures with Santa, readings of Polar Express, tours of Santa’s workshop in the Caboose, games, facepainting and fun. It was a joyful day for all!
Our museum staff is still tallying numbers for 2016, but it is clear that the museum is breaking every attendance record from past years. As of Dec. 1st, we have had over 8000 visitors!
The Foundation also hosted 3 very successful fundraisers for the museum – our annual Winetasting Reception in March, the ever-popular Sunday Afternoon Tea in May, and wining, dining music at HarvestFest in October. These were all very enjoyable events, we thank all of you who attended, and we hope to see even more of you this coming year.
Your generous contributions have made it possible for us to completely repaint and restore the 1949 Caboose and purchase and install a new storage and work area for items in our collection. We thank you sincerely!
Projects for 2017
The Foundation’s goals for the upcoming year include helping the City of Lomita purchase and install a new railroad-themed Jungle Gym for children in the Irene Lewis Park and working on restoration of our 1913 Union Pacific wooden boxcar. The museum staff is also investigating possible improved display furnishings for inside the museum.
Can you help us?
Only with your support can we accomplish these complex and costly projects.
It only takes minutes to make a donation online, or if you prefer, write a check to Lomita Railroad Museum Foundation and mail it to Lomita Railroad Museum, 2137 W. 250th, Lomita, CA 90717.
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We are so grateful for you and everyone else who supported the Lomita Railroad Museum this past year. You are the reason we dedicate ourselves to making sure the Museum continues to be the wonderful resource it is to the children, families, and steam era railroad aficionados who visit us. We hope the museum and its programs continue to inform and bring enjoyment to you and your families throughout the upcoming year.
We at the Lomita Railroad Museum Foundation wish you and yours a most Happy Holiday Season and New Year!
Susan Dever, President — Lomita Railroad Museum Foundation
