Electric City Trolley Museum to Observe 25th Anniversary

Lackawanna County’s Electric City Trolley Museum, which opened on Oct. 30, 1999, will observe its 25th anniversary with a month-long series of events in November. The museum preserves and celebrates the rich history of trolleys, chronicles the extensive trolley network that once connected wide swaths of Northeast Pennsylvania, and commemorates Scranton’s role as the first U.S. city to have electric trolley service – the genesis of its “Electric City” nickname.

“We are immensely proud to have reached this milestone,” said Commissioner Bill Gaughan. “Our goal has always been to preserve the history of the trolley era and share its importance with the community. This 25th-anniversary celebration is a chance for us to reflect on the past and look forward to the next 25 years of education, preservation, and community engagement.”

Joe Corcoran, who was a county commissioner when the  museum was founded, is chairman of the 25th anniversary committee. He announced that on Nov. 2,  to kick off the celebratory month, admission to the Trolley Museum will be what it was on opening day in 1999 — $3 for adults or $6 with a trolley ride, and $2 for children or $4 with trolley ride.  Special prices will be offered to the following groups on specific weekends.

Nov. 2 and 3 –  General public at anniversary rates, members of Electric City Trolley Museum Association, free.
Nov. 9 and 10 –  Veterans and their families at anniversary rates.
Nov. 16 and  17 –  First Responders and their families, anniversary rates
Nov. 23 and 24 – County employees and their families, anniversary rates.

Reservations, which are required for trolley rides, may be made at 570-963-6590.

To kick off the celebration Nov. 2, there will be a cake cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. at the museum, 300 Cliff St., Scranton, adjacent to the Steamtown National Historic Site. There will be activities for children throughout the day, and limited-edition 25th Anniversary merchandise, commemorative coins and museum-branded apparel will be available at the gift shop.