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 the Depot’s Over the Rail Diner. 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.