B&O Railroad Museum Remembering 20th Anniversary of Roundhouse Roof Collapse With Tours and Programming This Weekend
BALTIMORE, MD – February 16, 2023 – This year marks the 20th anniversary of the 2003 Roundhouse Roof Collapse at the B&O Railroad Museum. The roof collapse came during what was the biggest snowstorm on record in Baltimore with 28.2 inches of snow on Feb. 17, 2003.
The 1884 Baldwin Roundhouse, often referred to as “The Cathedral of American Railroading,” was devastated by the snowstorm and the collapse heavily damaged many items of the Museum’s collection. Many of the historic pieces took years of restoration to repair.
On Friday, Feb. 17 at 11 AM and Monday, Feb. 20 at 1 PM, the Museum is offering a tour to look at the storied history of the Roundhouse – from that fateful night in February 2003 to rebuilding it to its current glory. Steve Johnson, director of facilities and member of the Museum’s rapid response team on the day of the collapse, will present his experience during the tour. He will also be available to answer questions raised by attendees.
In celebration of President’s Day, the Museum is also offering its Presidential Passages junior tour that explores how United States presidents have interacted with railroading, specifically the B&O Railroad. The tour will take place on Feb. 17 at 1 PM and on Feb. 20 at 11 AM.
For more information about the roof collapse tour, visit https://borail.events/roofcollapse
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About the B&O Railroad Museum
The B&O Railroad Museum, the birthplace of American railroading, located in Baltimore, Maryland is a full affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, and a National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Site. It is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of American railroading and its impact on American society, culture, and economy. The museum is home to the oldest, most comprehensive collection of railroad artifacts in the Western Hemisphere including an unparalleled roster of 19th and 20th century railroad equipment, the 1851 Mt. Clare Station, the 1884 Baldwin Roundhouse and first mile of commercial railroad track in America. For further information on the B&O Railroad Museum, please call 410-752-2490 or visit www.borail.org.
