The Linden Depot served the area as a passenger and a freight station for both the Nickel Plate and Monon railroads, starting in 1908. In 1964, passenger service was discontinued, and the last freight stop was in 1972. In the early 1980's, a group of concerned citizens decided to restore the now-abandoned station and open it as a museum to preserve this important segment of Indiana railroad history. They realized that for many of today's children, a visit to our museum is the first way, and sometimes the only way, that they are exposed to first-hand knowledge of the importance of rail service in our country. In 1986, the group formed a not-for-profit corporation to accomplish this task, and on April 13, 1993, the Linden Depot Museum officially opened.
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Last year, we realized that a significant drainage issue had developed around the north and west sides of the museum with the result that water appeared to be draining towards the building and not away from it. It was determined that the asplalt platform on the north and west sides needed to be removed so that a new drainage system could be installed. It was further planned that after the drainage was taken care of, a brick platform, which was deemed to be more era-appropriate for the depot, was to be installed on those two sides.
When the asphalt was removed and the area excavated, we discovered that there was a lot of hidden water damage to the below-ground fascia boards. Also, the lower sections of the siding on the exterior of the depot had deteriorated. All of this damaged wood had to be removed and replaced before the drainage system could be installed, and all of this work had to be completed before the brick platform can be put into place. Since such a large portion of the building needed to be re-painted, and another large section was due to be repainted last year, it was decided to paint the entire depot in the original colors as it had been when it was built in 1908.
Thanks to the generosity of the community and patrons of the museum, and thanks to the countless hours of labor donated towards this project, we have saved the museum from certain destruction, and preserved it for hopefully another 100 years. The damaged wood was all replaced, the entire museum was re-painted (in the original 1908 colors), a new drainage system was put into place, and a brand new brick platform was laid on the north side with generously-donated 100-year old pavers. The drainage system and brick platform on the west side were not able to be completed as we ran out of time before the weather closed in.
In 2014, we need to complete the drainage system for the west side of the building, and the brick platform needs to be installed on the west side; we plan to start just as soon as the weather allows. We also need to replace the sidewalks that needed to be removed last year when we installed the drainage system. That will complete the 2013-14 restoration of the museum building.
Next we turn our attention to the building that we own on the south side of the property. This building was leased from 2001 until May, 2013. After the tenant vacated the building, we began the slow process last summer of moving our archives and books into the newly-named "Linden Depot Museum Research Facility." By doing so, we were able to free up some potential display space in the Museum. As more and more people have generously donated their railroad-related artifacts to us, we have been short on appropriate space in which to display these valuable items.
As part of the restoration, we are working towards returning the two baggage rooms to their original purpose. Up until now, these rooms have both held model train layouts, in addition to the railroad memorabilia displays. Our plan is to use the largest room in the "Research Facility" for a brand new HO model train layout. Work began the first week of January on this adverturesome project, and we hope to have made enough progress that starting on opening day, April 4, visitors to the museum will be able to visit our "new" building and track our progress on this new attraction.
All of these projects are very EXPENSIVE, and beyond the day-to-day operating budget of the museum. So the museun is again turning to the community and to the patrons of the museum for help with the funding of this important work. Because the museum is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit corporation, all donations are tax-deductible. Any amount, large or small, is welcome. All funds received will go towards the continuing restoration; the museum is operated by an all-volunteer staff.
Donations may be brought to the museum whenever we are open (See times at left.) Donations may also be mailed to:
Linden Depot Museum
PO Box 154
Linden, IN 47955