In the community of Elm Grove, there is a museum known as the Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum. They are a non-profit organization. The Toy and Train Museum actually used to be a public school. The building remained a public school until 1991. The building was then used by West Liberty State College for multiple years before getting closed in the mid-nineties. In 1997, the building was sold to the Eibel Corporation and now is known as the Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum.
“I remember when I was younger I would go to the Train Museum and I would look at the rooms,” said freshman, Bria Toland. “Since it used to be an old school, there was a desk there from back in the day. There were different rooms and that was my favorite part about it because it’s historical.”
Some of their biggest donations were over 300 bobble heads, 18,000 pieces of Snoopy and other Peanuts memorabilia, and an immense donation from a museum that was closing in North Carolina. In the Toy and Train Museum, all items on display are only 15% of their collection.
“We change displays out regularly to keep things fresh, This means when you come back, you may see something different,” said Becky Gerlak, associate of the Toy and Train Museum.
The Toy and Train Museum also holds a multitude of events. One event they hold is the Annual Marx Convention. This event is a National convention with vendors coming from all over the country. Another event they hold is their Fairy Garden event, which is an event held at the beginning of the summer to celebrate the opening of their fairy garden for the year. They also do smaller things such as pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Toys and Tunes, Model Train Shows, and Kruger Fest.
The Toy and Train Museum has many days throughout the year that the admission price is lower. Regularly, they charge $15 for adults, $7.50 for students, and $12 for seniors (65 and older). They offer a 10% discount for AAA, Military, and TCA members. They are open Friday through Sunday and 9am-4pm. They may close early on Memorial Day, July Fourth, Labor Day, Christmas Eve, and New Years Eve.
If you would like to know more about the Kruger Street Toy and Train Museum, they also have a website that’s updated regularly you can check out.
