BORM reopens for 2014 on April 13

The Bradford Ohio Railroad Museum will reopen for the 2014 season April 13 at 2 pm with a dedication and ribbon cutting for the Children’s Learning Center. The museum purchased the historic 1919 former bank building at the corner of Miami Avenue and Main Street in 2006. Since that time efforts have concentrated on transforming the interior into the exhibit and meeting space for the museum.

The museum was formed in 2002. Marilyn Kosier approached the Bradford city council on Good Friday of 2002 regarding the desire to create a railroad museum to preserve the railroad heritage of the town.

The idea for the museum was planted by her father Herbert Kosier at a Bradford Railroader’s basketball game that she and her dad attended while watching a game her nephews and his grandsons were playing.

A board of local residents was formed and the museum incorporated as a 501 c 3 nonprofit corporation. The first goal was to purchase and restore the only remaining railroad structure the BF Tower.

This was accomplished in 2003. Representative Diana Fessler saw the potential of the museum as an economic stimulus to the revitalization of the downtown. She was on board with the mission of the museum and helped secure a capital appropriation to restore the tower. This was finished in 2008.

Efforts turned once again to the main headquarters building. Representative Fessler again helped secure funding to restore the outside of the structure. This was accomplished and plans were made to renovate and restore the interior. Architect Candace Goodall came to the bank building shortly after the exterior was completed and saw the potential. Her vision to open up the mezzanine level for additional exhibit and meeting space was completed in 2010 by the Swafford Construction Company of Troy.

It soon became apparent that a separate children’s area devoted to K- 6 was needed. Once again the museum turned to Architect Goodall for guidance. She met with the Miami County building inspector and a plan to convert the basement into the children’s area was underway. The museum retained the Swafford Construction Company to complete the work.

The museum will be dedicating and opening the children’s area Sunday April 13, 2014 at 2pm. The dedication will recognize the donors who have contributed to the interior restoration and renovation.

The museum is working with Exhibit Concepts of Vandalia on permanent exhibits that will tell the unique history of Bradford. Few today are aware of the vast railroad operation that once occupied the center of the Village. The museum has been working to build a model of the railroad yards to convey that part of the railroad history. Thanks to the hard work of Rick Miller and Mike Desch the model is nearing completion. The N- Scale model will be ready for display at the opening. The Salute to the Railroader’s will be held to honor the past, present and future railroaders at the opening.

The Bradford Ohio Railroad Museum could not be as far along in development if it were not for the generous donation from its supporters and the countless hours of the members and volunteers.

The dedication is a moment to pause and recognize and thank all those who contribute to his preservation effort.