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<b>Railroad museum project deserves our local support</b>

Although it won’t become a state park project, members of the the Arizona State Railroad Museum Foundation still have plans to build right here in Williams.

The 15-acre site is where Williams’ old roundhouse sat until the 1950s. The land valued at $3.1-$3.3 million is located on the east side of Grand Canyon Boulevard across the street from the Grand Canyon Railway Depot.

Potential displays will include a variety of steam and diesel locomotives; interpretive displays of ranching, mining, logging, passengers, freight, tourism and track construction, art exhibits emphasizing railroad and national park advertising art, Fred Harvey Company history and a variety of traveling exhibits.

Al Richmond, who has spearheaded the project, serves as president of the tax exempt non-profit museum foundation, which provides for the museum’s current and future needs through fund-raising and an active partnership.

Richmond said he originally hoped to reach an agreement with Arizona State Parks to ensure construction got underway this year.

In the wake of extensive delays getting Karchner Caverns off the ground, apparently the parks director nixed the idea of a state-funded railroad museum in Williams. Hence the foundation lost precious time and is now actively seeking independent backing.

In addition to Max and Thelma Biegert, co-owners GCRY who donated the land, positive support has already come from state Senator John Wettaw, state Representative John Verkamp, the Arizona Department of Tourism, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors, Flagstaff City Council and Williams-Grand Canyon Chamber of Commerce as well as Williams city officials.

As Richmond actively seeks the funding to make the museum a reality, he mentioned he has had good feedback from an Aug. 9 meeting with Sen. Jon Kyl’s staff in Phoenix. Hopefully, this, too, will prove to be an avenue of support.

But the most immediate need, according to Richmond, is the where-with-all to hire the museum director and curator staff — funds amounting to around $150,000. Once this staff is on board, he said the critical construction and planning stage can be tackled.

In addition, the museum foundation has begun a capital fund-raising campaign to secure the above amounts as well as a $5-$8 million endowment for the museum from the philanthropic community and granting sources.

Once the project enters its construction phase, the museum should become eligible for grant funding from a wide variety of sources.

Not only will the museum will serve as an invaluable resource for celebrating and preserving our state’s unique railroad heritage, it will serve as a premier draw for Williams — a vital piece that will make our hamlet a destination in its own right.

To find out more detailed information about the museum project, contact the Arizona State Railroad Foundation at: 204 W. Railroad Ave., Williams, AZ 86046

Richmond can be reached by phone at 523-7209.


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