SCRANTON, Pa. - Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS) celebrates Women’s History Month with free special programs beginning at Noon and 2:00 pm on Friday and Saturday, March 15-16, 2019.
“Rosie the Railroader" will share some of the epic stories of how women played an essential role in constructing the “Arsenal of Democracy" that enabled the United States and its Allies to be victorious in the Second World War. From working on America’s railroads to building the tanks, bombers, ships, and munitions that our soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines needed to win on the battlefield, women quickly and ably took on non-traditional roles in heavy industry that had formerly been considered “men’s work."
We’ll also explore women in modern day railroading with some of our own staff and volunteers who are part of the Steamtown NHS Train and Engine (T&E) Service. Listen to their stories of what it’s like working on a tourism passenger rail service like Steamtown NHS. Find out how they became interested in operating the “Iron Horses," what they love about railroading, and what they aren’t so crazy about while working the rails. Our T&E Service members must meet and maintain Federal Rail Administration and Northeast Operating Rules Advisory Committee (NORAC) requirements just like railroaders working for Amtrak, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and the regional commuter lines.
Learn about other local women who work in the rail industry through recorded interviews that will be playing throughout the day; their experiences demonstrate a real “can do" attitude and approach to life. And there’ll be plenty of time to have your questions answered. After hearing all their stories, perhaps you’ll be inspired to join us as a T&E Service volunteer (must be at least 18 years of age to apply) and work your way through our “apprenticeship" program to become a qualified train conductor or locomotive engineer!
No advanced reservations are required for our Women’s History Month programs. But please plan to arrive at our Visitor Center ten minutes early so that we may start on time. We look forward to having you visit Steamtown NHS for these special programs, as well as throughout the year.
Located in downtown Scranton, Pa., Steamtown NHS is open daily from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily. From I-81 follow exit 185 (Central Scranton Expressway); then follow the brown and white signs to the park entrance at Lackawanna Avenue and Cliff Street (GPS: N 41.41, W 75.67). General park information is available by phoning (570) 340-5206 during regular business hours, or by visiting the park website anytime.
www.nps.gov/stea
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 418 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Visit us at www.nps.gov, on Facebook www.facebook.com/nationalparkservice, Twitter www.twitter.com/natlparkservice, and YouTube www.youtube.com/nationalparkservice
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Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
