Hesston Volunteers

Since 1956 dedicated individuals have been coming together for one common purpose, to keep steam machinery alive. These volunteers come from all walks of life, from doctors to students and everything in between. The stories and equipment of the past will always have a home and a place to be told.

Sharing our historic restorations, with the general public, our guests, is what we love to do. It's the reason of why we do what we do, touching lives in a way that enriches them.

As we enter our sixth decade of progress, we ask you to join us, who knows, the life you enrich just might be your own.

Ted Rita

General Manager

Memorial Day Weekend 2009

WOW! What a great start to what should be a wonderful season.

The crowed, especially on Sunday is really the icing on the cake of a lot of incredible things that we have done over the past months.

Specifically the triumphant return to steam for the "Blue Goose" ex: Brookfield Zoo #242, Historian of the Year award from the LaPorte County Historical Society and

our first Education Scholarship we have ever given. What a great time to be involved, what positive things we are doing.

The 242 locomotive returned to steam on Saturday after test runs June 18th. See video of the locomotive at The Hesston Steam Museum Channel on You-tube.

We had a great response from guest looking to buy tickets for "The Blue Goose" at the ticket booth. This shows that our press releases are working and we are

reaching new visitors. This will also bring us to 4 serviceable steam locomotives for the first time EVER on the narrow gauge.

The Historian of the Year Award is a great honor. I am proud that we were in the running and were chosen. It goes to show that what we are doing is important, not just to us and our guests, but

to the entire community.

Finally, I am very proud of our organization finally stepping up to present a worthy student with help in their path to further education.

Hayley Dykstra of LaPorte High School was this years recipient of a $1000.00 gift presented to her by the Board of Directors on Saturday May 23rd.

She is a very worthy winner. Congratulations Hayley.

If you were at the museum, I'm sure you couldn't help but notice the electric light plant's new paint and sign-age. The crew there has done a marvelous job of making that display a centerpiece.

We will be moving to the sawmill with new sign-age for next spring. The giftshop has also be come a beautiful site as well. It's new colors are very pleasing to the eye. I was very happy that the painting crew

worked so hard (even during the week) to get the job done before the weekend.

I'd also like to thank everyone that worked to give our guest the best possible experience. I heard so many positive complements; I'm so proud of this group.

I look forward to next weekend.

Ted Rita

General Manager

Hesston Steam Museum