The Friends of the Heritage Rail Trail
Corridor was formed in 2001 as a result of the newly opened Hanover Junction
Train Station in North Codorus Township and the anticipated opening of the New
Freedom Train Station in the borough of New Freedom in 2003. The Hanover
Junction Train Station is renovated to its look in the 1863 during the Civil
War. Part of the building houses a museum concentrating on the local Civil War
history. The New Freedom Train Station is restored to its appearance in the
1940’s, during the heyday of the Northern Central Railroad. Within the station
are a railroad museum, including an actual size K-4 engine and an original
working freight scale and original safe.
The Mission Statement for Friends
of the Heritage Rail Trail Corridor (FHRTC) is:
provides assistance to the York County Department of Parks and Recreation as an
organization dedicated to the historic preservation and interpretation of the
Heritage Rail Trail County Park. |
The purpose and objectives of the FHRTC are:
- To educate the public regarding the
history of the corridor in York County
- To help interpret and understand the park’s strategic and historic importance
upon local, statewide and national affairs
- To collect and preserve, for educational purposes, any significant relics,
artifacts and documents relating to the corridor
- To foster greater awareness, interest, friendship and pride in the communities
which share the corridor’s history
- To promote and participate in fundraising activities as opportunities arise
- To provide public assistance and interpretation at the stations
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| The FHRTC has an Executive
Committee that meets throughout the year to prepare the open house
schedule, monitor the attendance records, oversee the gift shop sales and
address other programming opportunities. Executive Committee members also serve
as Greeters at the stations. |
WHAT IS AVAILABLE IN THE
GIFT SHOP?
The Gift Shop
is a wonderful place to do shopping for someone who loves the
outdoors or local history. The gift shop offers an assortment of memorabilia
including:
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Heritage Rail Trail Corridor T-Shirt
·
Heritage Rail Trail Corridor Patch
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Station Postcards
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Station Notecards
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Station Magnets
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Station 8 x10 photographs
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Brief Histories Book
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New Freedom Train Station print
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Hanover Junction Train Station print
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Howard Tunnel print
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Railroad Antique General Store print
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Hanover Junction Station Front miniature
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Northern Central Rail Sluice
WHAT IF I HAVE ARTIFACTS, PHOTOGRAPHS OR OTHER MEMORABILIA THAT
MIGHT BE OF INTEREST?
The Friends group is always looking for new artifacts,
photographs or other memorabilia to enhance the history of one of the museums.
There is no guarantee that an artifact will be on display immediately, depending
upon the exhibit themes at the time. Should you have any such items, please call
Jeri Jones at
(717) 840-7226.

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SPECIAL EVENTS AT THE STATIONS
May 16, 2010 – Company C of the 87th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry
Encampment at Hanover Junction Train Station. 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Campsite
setup, drills and black powder demonstrations.
June 9, 2010 – Porch Talk Series –“Weapons of the Civil War” with Bill
Oestereich @ Hanover Junction Train Station @ 7:00 p.m. Bring a chair or blanket
to sit on.
June 17, 2010 – Senior Excursion Rides departing Hanover Junction Train
Station at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Cost is $8.00/person.
Station will be open from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 – 7:00 p.m.
June 23, 2010 – Porch Talk Series – “She’s Not the Mary You Thought You
Knew” with Pam Franklenfield @ Hanover Junction Train Station @ 7:00 p.m. Bring
a chair or blanket to sit on.
June 26, 2010 – Victorian Parlor Ensemble Concert @ Hanover Junction
Train Station @ 12:00 p.m. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on.
July 14, 2010 – Porch Talk Series – “History of the New Freedom Station”
with Al Smith @ New Freedom Train Station @ 7:00 p.m.
July 28, 2010 – Porch Talk Series – “Pennsylvania Players” Civil War
Re-enactors at New Freedom Train Station @ 7:00 p.m.
August 26, 2010 – Senior Excursion Rides departing Hanover Junction Train
Station at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Cost is $8.00/person.
Station will be open from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and 6:30 – 7:00 p.m.
September 18, 2010 – New Freedom Street Fair
November 27, 2010 – New Freedom Tree Lighting Ceremony and Station Open
House @ 6:00 p.m.
December 3, 2010 – Hanging of the Greens at Hanover Junction Train
Station @ 6:00 p.m. Program by Jane Tighe and Jeffrey Altland “Carols of the
Past”.
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We Are Looking For Greeters
What is a Greeter?
A greeter is a volunteer who simply enjoys talking
to people and requires no knowledge of either station. Greeters are stationed at
New Freedom and Hanover Junction train stations to welcome guests to the Museum,
answer any questions they may have and supply them with some information on the
history on the area. Both Museums are operated under the Friends of the Heritage
Rail Trail Corridor and are open between May and October each year for public
visitation.
Why Should I Become a Greeter?
Being a
greeter is fun! It is a great opportunity to learn more about things that
interest you and share them with others. Most visitors to our Museums are either
interested in the history of the area or are trail users that have a curiosity
to see what’s inside. As long as you enjoy talking to people, you qualify as a
greeter. Friendships have been formed through being a greeter and the
knowledge of giving something back to the community. Greeters are invited to
special functions by the Friends groups and York County Parks (picnics, Holiday
events, volunteer recognitions, etc.)
Who Can Become a Greeter?
Everyone is welcome to volunteer. Our
list of greeters ranges from scouts an school students earning community service
hours to working people who enjoy spending time in the museums as a method of
relaxation to seniors, who enjoy getting out and talking to people. A Greeter
under the age of 18 needs to be supervised with an adult while volunteering.
How Do I Qualify?
Not to worry, there are no tests to take
to become qualified! If you wear a smile, this is a spot for you. Any
information you need to know about the Museum, local history, area restaurants
and motels or rail trail is all in an organized Informational Notebook at each
station.
Are There Any Training
Sessions?
The Friends of the Heritage Rail Trail
Corridor provide on-site training. You are scheduled for a time slot with an
experienced greeter who walks you through the various steps of opening and
closing the museum and providing information.
When Are Greeters Needed?
Both the Hanover Junction and New
Freedom train station operate identical schedules. Shifts are available on
Saturdays, May through October (10:00 – 1:30 AND 1:30 – 5:00) and Sundays June
through September. Shifts on Sunday June and July are 1:00 – 4:30 p.m. AND 4:30
– 8:00 p.m. During August and September, a Sunday shift is 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. The
museums will also be open on Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day from
1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Shifts are also available in June and July, Wednesdays from
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
For information/scheduling call Program Coordinator, Jeri Jones, York County
Parks at (717) 840-7226.
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