Author: MMA

The
Station Dispatch

December 2025 - January 2026

Mechanicsburg
Museum
Association
2 West Strawberry
Alley
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6213
Passenger Station
(717) 697-6088
Email: mechanicsburg museum@gmail.com
Website:
www.mechanicsburg
museum.org Look for our hours here
Find us on Facebook

Inside this issue:

The Spirt of Christmas 1
Director's Report 2
Events & Programs 3
New Members
Death of a Salesman Play
Museum Float
Stocking Stuffers 4 Kids Corner 5
The Membership
Challenge 6
Train Crew 7 Union Church celebrates
Upcoming Events 8 Museum Store Coupon

The Spirit of Christmas
Believe - A Polar Express Christmas
What could be better than reading the Polar Express book or seeing the Polar Express movie? The answer is coming to this year’s Polar Express themed Christmas exhibit at the Freight Station.
The train crew has worked all year to recreate the Polar Express theme on the train platform. There are large cardboard cutouts of the main characters throughout the exhibit that will be great photo opportunities.
Children of all ages will enjoy the scavenger hunt for stickers in the cases and animals on the platform. Golden tickets will be given to our young guests as well as a special Polar Express gift.
There are the usual festive trees and cases surrounding the train platform. The gingerbread houses are on display, waiting for your votes. A costumed train conductor might even be present when you visit.
Be sure to bring the family to this amazing exhibit. You will leave filled with Christmas spirit and you will definitely BELIEVE.
Believe - A Polar Express Christmas closes on Saturday, January 10. The hours are Wednesday - Saturday, 12:00 - 3:00 PM.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

1

President
Faith Matthews
Vice President
Carol Palinkas
Recording Secretary
Rich Heinick
Treasurer
Sandy Showers
Board of Directors
Beverly Bone Jeanne Souder
Rich Heinick JJ Stewart
Frankie Hensel Art Thomas
Cheryl Hoke Linda Willis
Paula Libhart Rebecca Yearick
Faith Matthews
Carol Palinkas
Museum Director
Steven B. Zimmerman
Office Manager
Kelly Reed

The Mechanicsburg Museum Association is incorporated under Pennsylvania law as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. The official registration and financial information of the Mechanicsburg Museum Association may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1 (800) 732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

As we come to the close of another year, we reflect over 2025. This was an amazing year for the Museum celebrating 50 years of growth. It all started from a simple idea of creating a museum to what we have today, five buildings preserved for the history of our town. If it weren’t for those forward thinking people in 1975, we would not have our museum today.
Thanks to all of those who believed in the idea and pushed forward to accomplish it. It took a lot of hard work and donations to make this happen and we thank everyone who had a part in the idea. We thank all of our volunteers. We appreciate everyone who donates both time and money to help preserve our five buildings. We are happy to see the museum continue to grow.
It all begin with one person’s simple idea and this idea has grown to over 400 members. As we look forward to those who will carry the next 50 years, we hope they are as successful as the first 50 years. Nothing is impossible with a little work and inspiration.
I wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and a very happy, healthy and prosperous new year. Thanks to all for helping to “Keep Our History Alive” in Mechanicsburg.
Steve Zimmerman

Directors Message

Welcome….
To our New Members
Cumberland Stained Glass, Inc.
Patrick Dougherty
Angela Jayne
Becki Kraft
Chris and Joanne Lamm

Museum Float Wins 2nd Place
The museum’s float received 2nd place in this year’s Halloween Parade. Thank you to the Marketing Committee for this creative and fun way to advertise the museum. A special thank you to Linda Willis for organizing the parade sub-committee and organizing all the creative ideas. Also thanks to Nate MacDicken and Ginny Reid for their help and enthusiasm in preparing the float. And, of course, thank you to the many folks who dressed in costume to walk beside the float and ride aboard. None of this would have been possible without the truck and flatbed from Willis Fuel Services. All of these people worked hard to fulfill the vision and make this event a success.

An Afternoon at the Theater
Death of a Salesman
Sunday, January 18 @ 2:00 PM
The museum is pleased to host a fundraising event at The Little Theater of Mechanicsburg. Tickets for the production of Death of a Salesman are $20.00 and can be purchased by calling the Passenger Station at (717) 697-6088.
Death of a Salesman is a 1949 play by Arthur Miller and tells the story of Willy Loman, a traveling salesman. Willy is disillusioned with his life and the American Dream. Miller’s play won both a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award.
Invite your friends. Let’s fill the theater and support both the museum and The Little Theater of Mechanicsburg.
915 South York Street

Our newsletters can now be viewed on our website:
mechanicsburgmuseum.org

Stocking Stuffers at the Freight Station
While visiting the Christmas exhibit at the Freight Station, don’t forget to stop at the gift shop for some great ideas for stocking stuffers.
The gift shop still has the three items made especially for the museum’s 50th anniversary year, all perfect for just about anyone on your gift list.
* Packets of loose tea (a strawberry mix and a tavern blend) from The Rosemary House and Gardens.
* Strawberry scented soap by Glitz Soap Co.
* Strawberry scented candles by The Gleeful Candle Co.
And, of course, the gift shop always carries pottery, t-shirts, bean soup mix, books, children’s toys and more.
One of the most useful gifts that can be used year-round is the museum’s new desk calendar “Paint The Town”. This year’s calendar features paintings by Eva Williams and Kas Morret. These calendars are only $10.00 + tax, making them the perfect gift for everyone. Folks will want to keep this calendar for years to come, simply to enjoy the artwork.
Hope to see you shopping at the Freight Station gift shop!

Thank you to Tricia Lacy for redesigning the layout of the gift shop. It looks great!

KIDS CORNER

December Happenings for Children
Storytime Tuesdays on
December 2, 9 and 16
This event is in partnership with Simpson Library. Come to the Passenger Station at 10:15 AM and hear a holiday story. Then visit the Freight Station to enjoy the Polar Express themed Christmas Train exhibit.

Storytime and Crafts with Mrs. Claus and her Elf
This event is Saturday, December 13 from 12-3 PM at the Passenger Station. Come enjoy a story and then make a Polar Express themed craft.

Scavenger Hunt at the Freight Station
While visiting the Christmas exhibit, Believe-A Polar Express Christmas, be sure to do the traditional sticker scavenger hunt. The greeters at the desk will give you the directions and even some helpful hints.

Polar Express Trivia
What is the name of the main character in the Polar Express movie?
What special gift does the boy receive at the North Pole?
What is the name of the author of the book Polar Express?
What does the conductor call the train’s heart?
What does the boy realize as he holds the bell?
Where is the train headed?
What do the children drink while on the train?
Who rides on top of the train?
What animal blocks the train as it travels?
Answers:
Hero boy or simply boy
A silver bell
Chris VanAllsburg
The train’s whistle
The bell only rings when he believes
The North Pole
Hot Chocolate
The hobo
Caribou

Gingerbread House People’s Choice Award
Be sure to vote for your favorite gingerbread house creations. The People’s Choice Award will be announced in the next newsletter.

The Membership Challenge - 2026
After researching how many new members the museum received in 2025, the answer was 36. This was the count at the beginning of November, when the newsletter articles are due.
36! That’s an average of 3 or 4 new members per month, January - October. Wow! That’s great! The museum is so happy to welcome these folks. We hope all of them are enjoying the events and activities the museum offers. Some new members have attended our Connection Lunches, a wonderful opportunity for both new and veteran members to interact. Some are already volunteering in our buildings.
Now here is the challenge. In 2026, can we increase 36 new members in 10 months to 50 new members? Let’s try.
Invite non-members to our events. Simply talk about the museum to friends and neighbors. Share the trifolds at local businesses. Be proud of what the museum represents, and share with folks the importance of keeping our town’s history alive.
One way to meet this membership challenge would be to “gift” a membership to someone on your Christmas list. For just $35, the recipients would become a museum member for one year. Hopefully folks would then continue their membership, after enjoying a year of our events and activities. This is the kind of gift that keeps on giving all year.
Pick up a membership form at the Passenger Station or the Freight Station. Membership forms are also available on our new website: mechancisburgmuseum.org.
Let’s meet the membership challenge. Let’s look forward to welcoming new members throughout 2026.

Let’s Hear it for the Train Crew
Each year the museum’s train crew creates an amazing layout for all to enjoy. This year was no exception. The crew worked all year to produce a Polar Express train platform that delighted every visitor, young and old alike. The museum is so grateful for these men. They give of their time and share their love of trains so that others can have a special Christmas experience. Also, thanks to Nate MacDicken for creating the Polar Express buildings and platform extras.
David Bowerman
Dave Bush
Mike Caravello
Bill Castle
Tom Hand
Earl Hayes
Thomas Page
Dennis Rehm
Jeff Shultz
Koen Thomas
Art Thomas
Gary Turnbaugh
*********************************************************** Union Church Celebrates 200 Years
Three special services have been planned at Union Church, helping the oldest public building in town celebrate its 200th anniversary. The three churches who participated all have an early connection with Union Church.
St. Paul’s United Church of Christ planned a hymn sing, highlighting their German heritage. Mechanicsburg Brethren in Christ Church planned a prayer service and the Church of the Brethren organized a carol sing. Due to the limited seating in Union Church, these services were not advertised for the public to attend. Trez Music Education Center also used Union Church for their student recitals.
Thank you to these groups for helping Union Church celebrate 200 Years!

Don’t miss the next connections lunch at Eckel’s, Monday, June 9 at 11:30
Email or text/call your reservation Faith Matthews @ 717-877-9796, or fmatthews3@verizon.net. The lunch is $20 and includes parmesan crusted chicken, scalloped potatoes, green beans, tossed salad, roll, ice ream and beverage.

NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Mechanicsburg, PA
Permit No. 217

2 West Strawberry Alley, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055

Return Service Requested

Upcoming Events
December 5 & 6 Candlelight Walking Tour
December 13 Mrs. Claus and Elf Storytime and Crafts 12 - 3 PM
January 18 Death of a Salesman at Mechanicsburg Little Theater
January 11 - February 20 All museum buildings closed for winter break
February 20 Cherry pie preorder deadline
February 21 Spring Exhibit Opens @ the Freight Station - Artists Around Town from 12 - 3 PM
February 28 Pick up cherry pies at the Passenger Station from 12 - 3 PM

COUPON
Mechanicsburg Museum Store
$2.00 off a purchase of $20.00 or more
(Coupon Expires December 31, 2025)

The Museum began with the 1866 Stationmaster’s House
The Mechanicsburg Museum began with the renovation of the Stationmaster’s House on Strawberry Alley, leased from the Borough of Mechanicsburg for 99 years at a rental cost of 4 Strawberries per year on November 15, 1976

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