SCRANTON, PA – Weekend days at Steamtown National Historic Site in downtown Scranton take on a new aspect of education with our continuing “Winter Lecture Series” activities in March! All programs take place at 1:00 p.m. except as noted in the Park’s Theater, and are included in the Park’s entrance fee.

On Saturday, March 3, Dan Gallo, Sr., will present a slideshow titled, 'The Railroads of Maybrook, New York' featuring the legendary 'Fallen Flag' railroads that visited the strategically important Maybrook railroad yard.

Our partnership with A&E Networks and local PBS affiliate, WVIA, will continue to showcase some of their best railroad-oriented productions. On Sunday, March 4 we’ll present 'Stokin The Fire: What Makes Trains Go' from The History Channel’s popular “Trains Unlimited” series. Pullman porters and the Crescent Limited, the Tom Thumb and the Big Boy, building a nation and growing with it - this is the thrilling story of railroads in America.

On Saturday, March 10, Steamtown VIP (Volunteer-In-Park) Bernie Gasper provides an in-depth look at the financing and decision-making of America's largest producer of steam locomotives in his detailed look at 'The Rise and Fall of the Baldwin Locomotive Works.”

For something a little different, on Sunday, March 11, we’ll feature WVIA Productions film presentation, 'Railroading's Miniature Marvels'. These unique hobbyists enjoy a primary interest in modeling all forms of railroading. They include everything from the construction of model railroad layouts, engines and rolling stock, to all the different aspects of the hobby - carpentry, electronics and modeling photography.

On Saturday, March 17, Bill Withuhn, Curator of Transportation, National Museum of American History at the Smithsonian Institution, presents 'A Day in the Life of a Steamtown Train Crew.'

Sunday, March 18, Park Ranger Bill Clark presents 'America's Legacy: National Parks,' a PowerPoint presentation that shows the breadth of the National Park Service, and the role that Steamtown NHS plays, in this world-acclaimed system.

On Saturday, March 24, historian Bob Kise leads attendees back to the grim years of the 1860s as he presents 'Civil War Troop Movements by Train.' The American Civil War was the first proving ground for the effectiveness of the railroad in moving men and material throughout the countryside. The achievements of the men who pushed the technological limits of the steam locomotive and railroad infrastructure will be highlighted.

Our 2007 Winter Lecture Series will close on Sunday, March 25 at 12:00 p.m., when The Dietrich Theater Radio Players present their live production of “The Mystery of the Steamtown Ghost,” written by R. A. Comunale. The group will also present their versions of the Abbott & Costello comedy routine, “Who’s on First?” and “Arsenic and Old Lace, Part 1” on the same stage. After the performances, the Radio Players will be available for a 20-minute “Meet the Cast”! For more info about this program, phone 570-996-1500.