Midland Continental Depot Transport Museum
Midland Continental Depot Transport Museum
Midland Continental Depot Transport Museum
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
5.0
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Jerry O
Charlotte, NC6 contributions
Jun 2012 • Couples
This new museum, just opened in May of 2012, is the only original Depot of
the Midland Continental Railroad. It is restored to its original state, and has a
professional interpretation done of the history of the area, and how the
Midland Railroad got its start, until it was retired in the 1970's.
Also the upstairs is the previous home of famed singer Peggy Lee, whose father
was depot agent in the 1930's. Peggy Lee graduated from Wimbledon HS.
There is a display of her music with a modern sitdown area to listen to some
of her hits. Also on display are a dress, and other interesting momentos.
the Midland Continental Railroad. It is restored to its original state, and has a
professional interpretation done of the history of the area, and how the
Midland Railroad got its start, until it was retired in the 1970's.
Also the upstairs is the previous home of famed singer Peggy Lee, whose father
was depot agent in the 1930's. Peggy Lee graduated from Wimbledon HS.
There is a display of her music with a modern sitdown area to listen to some
of her hits. Also on display are a dress, and other interesting momentos.
Written October 2, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WesAnderson
Valley City, North Dakota, United States26 contributions
Jun 2013 • Solo
This is a great reason to get off the interstate to learn about the idea far ahead of its time to build a north/south railroad from Winnipeg, Canada to Galveston, TX at the turn of the last century to allow midwest farmers to bypass the Mississippi River and eastern middlemen for a direct market outlet and newly built Panama Canal. Wish we had it today! This depot was also the former home to Jazz singer great, Miss Peggy Lee, when she lived there with her family from 1934-1937 and the community of Wimbledon stepped up to see to it that this little girl with a remarkable voice, got launched on her way to international fame. Well worth the stop!
http://themidlandcontinentaldepot.com/
http://themidlandcontinentaldepot.com/
Written July 10, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kirk M
Edmonton, Canada1,945 contributions
Aug 2014 • Solo
The bottom floor of this museum offers an overview of the history of the construction of a railroad conceived just before World War One that was supposed to link Canada with Texas. But it was a failed plan, because only about 80 miles of it was built, and part of it ran through Wimbledon. The displays show how optimistic that time was, when railroads linked America from coast to coast, and the Midland Continental was to be the first one to span north to south. Among other things, money ran out, and backers lost interest.
The upper floors are the nicely restored and preserved stationmaster's quarters: the Peggy Lee connection is that her father was stationmaster here in the 1930s, and she lived here, and assisted him in his duties, as a teenager.
I'm not a great fan of railroads, but I am of jazz music, so the upper floor was fascinating. You get the sense that Peggy's life was difficult, but she persevered and was determined to make something of herself. One of the rooms is crammed full of mementos of her life and career through the decades. You can see some glamorous gowns she wore when she performed, plus listen to excerpts of more than 200 of the songs she recorded.The exhibition is a bit of an overkill, and if you're not a Peggy Lee fan, it will leave you cold. The curator gave me a personal tour of both floors, and even showed me some extra evening gowns Peggy wore [kept in drawers]. I got the sense he was glad to see me, and that there are usually not many visitors.
The reason for this is that the museum is in a tiny village northeast of Jamestown, driving through rather desolate countryside. [Get directions to it in Jamestown.] The trip is really a special pilgrimage----but very worthwhile. The museum makes you ponder on Peggy's life: first, small-town North Dakota, then New York City and Hollywood, and great fame! All in all, it's a somewhat Surreal experience!
Be aware that the museum is open daily from 1 to 4 p.m. only from the end of June to early September, and there's no decent place to eat in the town, so bring a lunch! Admission is by donation.
It's one of the most poignant and evocative---and oddest---museums I've ever visited!
The upper floors are the nicely restored and preserved stationmaster's quarters: the Peggy Lee connection is that her father was stationmaster here in the 1930s, and she lived here, and assisted him in his duties, as a teenager.
I'm not a great fan of railroads, but I am of jazz music, so the upper floor was fascinating. You get the sense that Peggy's life was difficult, but she persevered and was determined to make something of herself. One of the rooms is crammed full of mementos of her life and career through the decades. You can see some glamorous gowns she wore when she performed, plus listen to excerpts of more than 200 of the songs she recorded.The exhibition is a bit of an overkill, and if you're not a Peggy Lee fan, it will leave you cold. The curator gave me a personal tour of both floors, and even showed me some extra evening gowns Peggy wore [kept in drawers]. I got the sense he was glad to see me, and that there are usually not many visitors.
The reason for this is that the museum is in a tiny village northeast of Jamestown, driving through rather desolate countryside. [Get directions to it in Jamestown.] The trip is really a special pilgrimage----but very worthwhile. The museum makes you ponder on Peggy's life: first, small-town North Dakota, then New York City and Hollywood, and great fame! All in all, it's a somewhat Surreal experience!
Be aware that the museum is open daily from 1 to 4 p.m. only from the end of June to early September, and there's no decent place to eat in the town, so bring a lunch! Admission is by donation.
It's one of the most poignant and evocative---and oddest---museums I've ever visited!
Written September 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SteveMirn
Fort Collins, CO333 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
An exceptional museum preserving a piece of railroad history and documenting the life of Peggy Lee. Don't let the small town throw you - this is a world class museum with exceptional displays and interpretive posters. When we arrived, no-one was there, but someone came immediately when we called the phone number posted. We were the only ones there and were able to take our time, made very welcome by the lady who opened the museum to us.
Written August 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pamela C
Wimbledon, ND39 contributions
Jul 2016 • Solo
I visit this museum often & I always encourage everyone else to visit it as well. If you have an interest in the history of the railroad, you will find this place fascinating. If you have a love for Peggy Lee's music, you will find this place amazing. If you can't figure out what the two could possibly have in common, end all curiosity by visiting & you will leave enlightened & encouraged to come back for many more visits. So much to see, you will want to return again & again.
The audio tidbits of information sprinkled throughout this small town museum is fun & interesting. So very well done.
Seeing the dresses on display & hearing the smooth music of Peggy Lee is a real treat. So much to read about sling the way.
Walking through her living quarters on the upper level of the railroad museum takes you back in time & really puts you right in the middle of her life.
Make this trip a 'must see' of places to visit before you die...it's that good!
The audio tidbits of information sprinkled throughout this small town museum is fun & interesting. So very well done.
Seeing the dresses on display & hearing the smooth music of Peggy Lee is a real treat. So much to read about sling the way.
Walking through her living quarters on the upper level of the railroad museum takes you back in time & really puts you right in the middle of her life.
Make this trip a 'must see' of places to visit before you die...it's that good!
Written July 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
skipper0204
Pella, IA19 contributions
Jun 2016 • Friends
This is a gem: small and sparkly. The museum is well organized. The background information is nicely presented, with large type, great graphics and pertinent information. The Peggy Lee room is excellent.
Written June 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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