BY KRIS LEONHARDT/MIKE HOLLIHAN
PRESS TIMES STAFF
ASHWAUBENON – On March 6, the National Railroad Museum kicked off its public campaign for a $15 million museum expansion at Lambeau Field.
The “Fox River Expansion” is the first phase in the museum’s plan to expand its reach and grow its offerings.
“It will create more space for education, exhibits and events,” said Dr. David Ward, who is co-chair of the campaign, along with retired Brig. Gen. Kerry Denson.
And the museum has much to show. It is now home to over 70 one-of-a-kind train cars, or rolling stock, and a growing collection of railroad artifacts, images and manuscripts — about 150,000 pieces.
“The expansion will allow us to display key pieces and it will open up the views to the Fox River and surrounding environment, further improving our museum visitor experience. To accomplish this expansion, we set a capital campaign goal of $15 million. Thanks to the generosity of many donors, I am pleased to announce that we have already raised almost $13 million, or 86% of our goal,” Ward explained.
Packers and trains
Green Bay Packers CEO/President Mark Murphy, who is serving as the campaign spokesperson, told attendees, “We are on the 10-yeard line in Green Bay and it’s first and goal” and said the Packers were excited to support the initiative as the fundraising continues.
“The Packers and railroads go back a long way,” he added.
“In the early days, the Packers, that’s how they got to the games; they were not flying around the country, they were taking trains. And, of course, the fans coming up to the games at Lambeau Field — particularly from Milwaukee. So, we were benefitted greatly from train service, and with the recent designation of the area as a corridor to be explored and researched for passenger railroad train service in the future, it’s really an exciting time for our community.”
Murphy also mentioned the 2025 Draft which will welcome an estimated 250,000 people.
“We’ve had some discussions with Amtrak about the possibility of having train service that week to give people an idea of what it is like coming up from Milwaukee to the Draft,” he recalled.
Murphy added that those people coming for the Draft will be looking for other things to do, “and this will be right at the top of the list,” he said.
Project in phases
National Railroad Museum CEO Jacqueline Frank said the master site plan was developed in 2015 when attendance jumped more than 40% in five years.
“We realized that we need space to grow both physically and to better meet the needs in the mission and our vision, including creating an inspiring facilities that reflect the image of a national museum and fully utilize those opportunities, develop cutting-edge interactive exhibits, support teachers and engage learners, curate and preserve a world-class collection for the public into perpetuity and, of course, partner with local municipalities, nonprofits, businesses, schools, government agencies to really magnify reach,” Frank stated.
The master plan was made public in 2016; since then, the project has been broken into four phases.
Frank said that the first phase will focus on the east addition to the existing Lenfestey Center and connect to the outdoor space.
“Phases two and three will include future additions to the Lenfestey Center. Phase four will finish the project with that iconic roundhouse that will enclose all remaining rolling stock for the public to enjoy throughout the year,” Frank added.
“The first phase enlarges the use of our campus as well, including outdoor event spaces, walking paths and better accessibility. It will connect more than 25,000 additional square feet inside through a large terrace that can also be used for outdoor learning.”
Funding and financial implications
Funding for the first phase of the project came through a mix of private and public backing, with $7 million from Wisconsin’s American Rescue Plan Act funds in 2023 and $5.8 from private donors.
But Frank said the return on this investment could be large for the Green Bay area.
“Not only is the visitor experience impacted positively, but the expanded space will help connect entertainment districts in the greater Green Bay area, initiate an additional $20 million economic impact each year, elevate the museum’s visibility as the only National Railroad Museum or any national museum of any type in the Upper Midwest and provide the ability to advance our already sound financial foundation through related business activities,” Frank said.
Bids opened for construction on phase one Jan. 18, and Frank said a groundbreaking will be announced soon.
For more information, visit https://nationalrrmuseum.org.