Join
the Mountain State Railroad
& Logging Historical Association
If you are
interested in...
Log
Trains and Geared Locomotives
West Virginia Heritage
Regional Railroad History
Lumbering and Sawmills
Preserving History
You are invited
to join!
About
the Association
Founded in 1982, MSR&LHA
collects, preserves and
interprets the
history of the railroad and lumber industries in West Virginia. It
encourages and supports research and publication projects, facilitates
preservation, and seeks to document a spectrum of topics ranging from
general aspects of construction, equipment, operation, forestry, and
economics to the specifics of sawmills, shops, company towns, and
railroads. It not only serves individuals with serious interest in and
knowledge of the railroad and logging scene, but promotes a better
understanding of these subjects for the general public. It is the
Association's belief that these subjects are an integral part of West
Virginia's unique and colorful heritage.
Cass:
Home of the Shays
Cass, West Virginia, home of the
Cass Scenic
Railroad State
Park has been the Association's base of operations since 1982. In
addition to sponsoring Annual Railfan Weekend, the Association is
involved in various preservation projects including Whittaker Camp #1,
which includes seven pieces of historic logging equipment and
structures. The Association also provides interpretive services and
assist in the general promotion of the Park. Geared steam power at Cass
includes numerous Shays and a Heisler, with additional geared
locomotives scheduled for restoration and operation.
For
information about the Cass Scenic Railroad
State Park
call 1-800-CALL-WVA or check their Web site at www.cassrailroad.com.
MSR&LHA's
Involvements
Periodicals:
The Log Train, the center-piece of the Association's
documentation and preservation efforts, is a quarterly journal which
attempts to picture the spectrum of logging and railroad history in
West Virginia.
Charter
Trips:
Special charters and trips with
guides and guide booklets visit historic railroad and logging sites in
West Virginia
Annual Members'
Weekend:
A source of good fellowship, the
members' meeting is scheduled each May to coincide with the Annual
Railfan Weekend at Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. The weekend
includes speakers, audio-visual presentations, displays, photo run-bys,
and field trips.
The
Archives:
MSR&LHA is devoted to
collecting photographs, documents, and other items of historic
importance. In cooperation with the State of West Virginia Division of
Culture and History, donated materials are catalogued and preserved for
access by members, researchers, and the general public. In cases where
collectors wish to place restrictions on copying or usage, the
Association ensures that requirements are followed.
Historic
Preservation: The
Association undertakes
and encourages efforts to preserve and interpret historic equipment and
structures. With Cass as the focal point for its work, several projects
are in process including providing interpretive signage, restoring
historic logging equipment for Whittaker camp #1 including a Lidgerwood
steam tower log skidder formerly operated by the Meadow River Lumber
Company. The Association has also provided for a graduate internship in
public interpretation.
Volunteers:
MSR&LHA is an all-volunteer organization
and depends on its members and other interested individuals to provide
materials for publication and to work on restoration projects. Any
contribution of time makes our projects successful.
Membership Categories:
Active
$20.00/year
Family
$20.00,
plus $1.00 for each additional member per year
Contributing
$50.00 -
$99.00 per year
Supporting
$100.00
or more per year
Checks
must be in US$ and drawn
on a U. S. bank.
Send cash at your own risk.
Sorry, we cannot accept credit cards.
Multiple memberships
are welcome. MSR&LHA
is a recognized
Section 501(c)(3) Tax Exempt organization by the internal Revenue
Service. All membership fees and donations are deductible
from Federal income tax.
