The Robert W. Willaford Railroad Museum has been steadily gaining fame and success since it opened the viewing platform December 2013. To keep up with its popularity, the leadership team has big plans for the museum this year.
Benny Lubrano, executive director of the museum, keeps detailed records of daily attendance and potential influences, such as weather or community events. He began keeping track in May 2014, and November was the record high, with 770 visitors. He expects the total from May 2014 to May 2015 to be about 7,500 visitors.
The museum’s board of directors formed and had its first meeting in June 2014. Jerry Lofstrom, owner of Whistle Stop Gourmet Coffee and Eatery, was the first president, but he resigned Sept. 11. The board asked Eric Barber, who had been vice president, to step into the presidential position, and Barber agreed.
But, a change in leadership was a small adjustment compared with what 2015 has in store for the museum.
Upkeep and Expansion
The museum, largely constructed of wood in 1909, has long had structural problems that are due to a tiny but mighty natural force.
“There’s a lot of termite evidence throughout the entire complex,” Barber said.
The building has not been treated for termites since it first opened as a welcome center in 1997. In recent years, termites’ fecal droppings, which look like sawdust, have been found throughout the museum. Lubrano said he has also found wings on the floor after occurrences of swarming.
The building needs to be fumigated to clear out the termites. But, this process takes four days, and the museum must close during that time.
“Until most of the smell is gone, we wouldn’t want the general public coming in,” Lubrano said.
The city’s General Services department will choose an independent company to conduct the fumigation. The buildings will be covered with tents during the treatment process.
The fumigation will be done at the end of January. After that, the museum can move forward with plans for expansion.
Robert Willaford, who donated most of the museum’s new collection in order for the museum to relaunch in 2013, has more pieces just waiting to be put on display.
The biggest item to next appear at the museum will be Willaford’s 1976 Waukesha A-car engine. He also has agreed to give an additional whistle post marker, 33 lanterns and various railroad and train station signs.
“A lot of the stuff’s going to be smaller, but a lot of the stuff will be mounted outside,” Willaford said.
However, the museum in its current state does not have the space available to take all of these items in. The museum’s tower, which has never before been open as a public space, will be renovated after the termite fumigation to be used for displaying Willaford’s new donations.
“The building’s not that big, but it gives us a lot more space to work with,” Lubrano.
The main museum building does not have sufficient wall space for signs and other hanging items that Willaford will be donating. Much of the wall space is taken up by windows. Wall space in the tower will make up for this deficiency.
Currently, the tower is being used for storage of an array of items, such as equipment for the bike and car shows, and some cabinets that used to be in the main museum building. Lubrano described the space as a “catchall.”
“We’re going to remove the second floor, just because it’s in really bad shape, and use it as a display area for signs,” Barber said. Lighting will also be installed, and a fresh coat of paint might be in order.
Putting Safety First
The directors of the museum have always seen railroad safety as a priority, but recently, they have been introducing new ways to promote it. These initiatives will continue in 2015.
The museum’s Facebook page has been periodically updated with graphics from Operation Lifesaver and the Association of American Railroads to promote railroad safety in memorable ways.
The museum board has commissioned a young, local artist to create a coloring book for children. The book will have images of trains just waiting to be filled in with crayon or colored pencil, but it will also include lessons about railroad safety.
“Yes, we want this book to be fun for the kids to color, but we also want them hopefully to learn, look both ways before you cross the track, what the signals mean, that sort of thing,” Lubrano said.
Mina Geist, a student at Hillsborough High School in Tampa, will be creating the images for the book. Her father, Casper Geist, is the owner of Dixie Station Tattoo in Plant City, and Barber has known the family for years.
“She’s an amazing artist,” Barber said. Geist’s drawings will be in the style of Japanese manga, which Barber “thought would make a really neat coloring book, because you don’t see that that often.”
The coloring books are designed for elementary school-age children, and they will be available at the museum for free.
Adding Manpower
The museum board has decided that in order to keep up with the museum’s growing popularity, Lubrano needs an assistant director.
“A volunteer, but someone who can be trusted with a key and a code and won’t have to take a break,” Barber said.
Though Lubrano has also cut down on his personal business to make more time for the museum, having extra help would free up some of his schedule for other things.
Barber has two potential candidates in mind who have proven their passion for the museum and railroad education, and ability to work well with children. But, he would like to start building a full team of volunteers to make sure all needs are covered.
“I’d like to find retired people who either are experienced with the railroad or are a railroad buff, who have the knowledge and can answer questions,” Barber said.
Railfest 2015
One of the next big events for the railroad museum will be the second annual Railfest, which is tentatively scheduled for March 14, 2015.
Lubrano and the board have a number of ideas for making Railfest more successful than last year, and they hope the weather will cooperate this time, as well. They have considered inviting food trucks to the event, as well as collaborating with the Central Florida Bluegrass Association or a model train exhibit at the John R. Trinkle Center.
Railfest might also become a ribbon-cutting celebration for the additional exhibit. The board is working with city employees and making every effort in attempts to ensure that the tower will be ready by the time.
A Nonprofit Organization
The museum society received a 501(c)(3) determination letter in December, designated by the IRS as a public charity. Contributions to the museum are now tax-deductible, and the organization is exempt from income tax.
— Catherine Sinclair