Experience a day of family fun at The Dennison Railroad Depot Museum located in Dennison, Ohio.
Recognized as a National Historic Landmark, The Dennison Railroad Depot is the most significant remaining example in the nation of a railroad canteen still reflecting its WWII heritage.
During WWII, 1.3 Million service members were served free food by 4,000 working volunteers at the Dennison Depot Salvation Army Servicemen’s Canteen. These service men and women traveled by troop train along the National Defense Strategic Railway and stopped at the Depot as they were going off to fight in the war.
Our Homefront hospitality became so well known, that the nickname Dreamsville, USA was given to us by the soldiers themselves. Today, the beautifully restored 1873 Pennsylvania Railroad Depot, which served as the Panhandle Division Headquarters, offers plenty of family entertainment.
The Depot is fully restored and now houses a museum, restaurant, Panhandle Theater and Whistle Stop Railway Gift Shop. Visitors can explore the museum’s Railroad History and Sports exhibits, then watch the trains run in the large Model Train Layout depicting Dennison in its heyday. The theater features a film on Dennison’s role as a WWII Canteen that earned Dennsion the nickname Dreamsville, USA. A train of railroad cars is attached to the Depot which features the Children’s Interactive Railroad Car Experience, a special yearly Feature Exhibit Car, a rare WWII Hospital Car housing our WWI and WWII collections, and a Local History Car. The museum is very interactive and hands-on. Children are invited to follow Bing’s Scavenger Hunt.
A fifth car in the Museum’s Addition is a Railroad Research Library, housing our archives. It is available for research upon appointment during open hours.
Follow up your visit with souvenir shopping or a meal in Lucille’s Lunch Stand. Picnic space is also available outside where you can see Bing’s House plus our collection of Rolling Stock including a 1940s Thermos Bottle Engine, Nickel Plate Caboose, the 2700 Cheseapeake & Ohio Locomotive and various other railroad cars.
This homefront hospitality continues today in our lobby, with a free cup of coffee and a cookie to all our visitors.
Ride on THE POLAR EXPRESS!
Experience the magic of Christmas on board the only POLAR EXPRESS train ride in Ohio! Listen to the classic story by Chris Van Allsburg and receive a hot chocolate and cookie on your way to the North Pole. On the way back each child will get to visit with Santa and recieve a silver bell from his sleigh. You do not want to miss out on these magical Christmas memories! For ticket pricing and information visit our “POLAR EXPRESS” page by hovering over the Events tab or calling our ticket agents at 740.922.6776. To purchase Coach tickets click here.
Lucille’s Lunch Stand
Lucille’s Lunch Stand, named after Lucille Nussdorfer, founder of the Dennison Canteen, is a downsized restaurant featuring locally made bread from Asetta Bread Company, locally made scones, pies and sweets, homemade soups, sandwiches and specials. Breakfast and lunch will be served. Visitors can grab a Canteen, Depot, Pullman or Bing Bag Lunch to go! Coffee will be free for our veterans. Grab a cup of Joe and enjoy a Signature Canteen Cookie or Bag of Canteen Donut Holes! The Lunch Stand will be open Tuesday through Saturday 10-2.
The Museum’s Whistle Stop Railway Gift Shop is also expanding with multiple new product lines. A new Twin City Made line features everything from Dennison Yard Spaghetti Sauce to Isaac Pangrazio Original Railroad Photographs. Other product lines include Rosie the Riveter, Military Dogs, local candy vendors, wooden toy trains and more! A collections of toys and gifts from the National WWII Museum in New Orleans and a widely expanded book selection are also included in the expansion. Watch for future Vendor Pop-ups and posts! The Gift Shop will be open similar Museum Hours, Tuesday – Friday, 10 to 5, Saturday 11-4 and Sundays 11-3.
Come see our new featured exhibit: “Celebrating 90 Years: Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District” open now in the Museum! The public is able to move through an immersive story of the District’s beginnings, its progress through the years, its highlights, a description of its future, and an interactive hands-on children’s component families will enjoy. Everyone is encouraged to take this opportunity to learn more about the history of the MWCD and how it works every day to make lives safer and secure homes, businesses, and communities.
Extend your Dreamsville, USA stay in the Pullman Bed & Breakfast! Step back in time to when the Pullman Company offered luxurious railroad travel accommodations. Booking now on AirBNB!
Looking For Event Space?
Ask us about The Streetside Center, available NOW for your next event! Great for meetings, parties, group meals, weddings, receptions, showers, and more! Call us at 740.922.6776 for pricing and availability.
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Awards
- Multiple awards for outstanding Achievement from the Ohio Local History Alliance, the Ohio Association of Historical Societies and Museums, the Ohio Museum Association
- 2018 Ohio Museum Association Professional of the Year – Wendy Zucal
- 2016 Ohio Museum Association Emerging Professional of the Year – Jacob Masters
- 2016 Eastern Ohio Economic Development Alliance Tourism Award – Dreamsville Association
- 2013 Recipient of the Ohio History Tax Check-off Funding Grant Cycle (1 of only 11 grants)
- 2012 Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year – Wendy Zucal
- 2011 Ohio Museum Association Institute of the Year
- 2010 Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau Tourism Ambassador Award – Wendy Zucal
- 2010 Dominion- Cleveland Business Magazine Economic Development/Community Improvement Award
- 2007 Eastern Ohio Development Alliance Tourism Excellence Award
- 2005 Historic Preservation Heritage Award
- 2005 Twin City Chamber of Commerce Organization of the Year
- 2001 Ohio Rail Tourism Outstanding Service Award
- 2000 North Central Business Journal Community Development Award
- 1997 Economic Development Trailblazer Award
- 1996 East Ohio Gas – Cleveland Business Magazine Economic Development Award
- 1995 Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year – Dennison Depot
- 1994 Twin City Chamber of Commerce Distinguished Service Award
- 1991 Tuscarawas County Historical Society Zeisberger-Heckewelder Award for Outstanding Achievement in Field of History
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