activities · 14
what they do
direct service · 11
- Collecting and Restoring Historic Streetcars and Artifacts Heritage Streetcar and Transit Vehicle RestorationThe organization collects and restores historic streetcars, including Streetcar #116 and Streetcar #504, and other related artifacts. This includes railcar restoration, woodworking, painting, and finishing, as well as collecting sections of original Phoenix streetcar rails.
- Collecting and Restoring Historic Streetcars and Artifacts Heritage Streetcar and Transit Vehicle RestorationThe organization collects, restores, and maintains historic streetcars, including Streetcar #116 and Streetcar #504, and other related artifacts. This includes railcar restoration, woodworking, painting, and finishing, as well as collecting original streetcar rails.
- Collecting and Restoring Historic Streetcars and Artifacts Heritage Streetcar and Transit Vehicle RestorationThe organization collects, restores, and maintains historic streetcars, including Streetcar #116 and #504, and other related artifacts. This includes railcar restoration, woodworking, painting, and finishing, and collecting original streetcar rails.
- Developing and Managing Exhibits Heritage Streetcar and Transit Vehicle RestorationThe organization installs, maintains, and updates museum displays and exhibits, including a "pop-up" exhibit at the Arizona State Capitol Museum and displaying streetcar #116 at various public events.
- Maintaining a Library and Publications Specialized Research Library AccessThe organization maintains an extensive resource collection and increases public research hours in the Larry Fleming Library, and manages publications, including updating databases, processing orders, and assisting with mailings.
- Maintaining a Resource Library Specialized Research Library AccessThe organization maintains an extensive resource collection in the Larry Fleming Library and increases public research hours.
- Managing and Displaying Collections and Exhibits Digital & Physical Historical ArchivingThe organization manages the installation, maintenance, and upkeep of museum displays and exhibits, including a "pop-up" exhibit at the Arizona State Capitol Museum. It also maintains an extensive resource collection in the Larry Fleming Library and manages publications.
- Museum Operations and Volunteer Management Repatriation of Cultural HeritageThe organization manages daily operations, including utilizing volunteers for collections, archives, guest services, and educational assistance. It also maintains the museum building and grounds, and operates retail sales of merchandise.
- Operating a Museum and Hosting Public EventsThe organization operates a museum, hosting open house events every Saturday from October to May and selected First Friday events. It also provides school tours and tours for visiting guests, and manages the installation, maintenance, and upkeep of museum displays and exhibits.
- Operating a Museum and Hosting Public EventsThe organization operates a museum, hosting open house events every Saturday from October to May and selected First Friday events. It also provides school tours and tours for visiting guests, and maintains the museum building and grounds.
- Publishing and Managing PublicationsThe organization previously published the Trolley Quarterly series and manages current publications, including updating databases, processing orders, and assisting with mailings.
research · 2
- Conducting Oral History ResearchThe organization conducts and presents oral history interviews with former riders of the Phoenix trolley system, and successfully wrote a grant to Arizona Humanities for an oral history project documenting memories of riding Phoenix’s original streetcar system before 1948.
- Conducting Oral History ResearchThe organization conducts and presents oral history interviews with former riders of the Phoenix trolley system, supported by grants for documenting memories of the original streetcar system.
capacity building · 1
- Volunteer Engagement and SupportThe organization utilizes volunteers in daily operations and special events, including collections, archives, guest services, and educational assistance.
strategies · 14
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Collaborating with Other Institutions for Broader Historical Reach collaborationThe organization collaborates with other institutions to share the history of street transportation with a wider audience, leveraging partnerships to expand its educational impact and reach beyond its immediate operational scope.
- Collaborative Historical Outreach collaborationThe organization collaborates with other institutions to broaden the reach of its historical narratives and share the story of street transportation with a wider audience.
- Community-Centered Historical Education and Engagement community_engagement_and_educationThe organization educates the public about the history of the Phoenix streetcar system through various interactive and accessible methods, including museum operations, publications, oral histories, and docent-led tours, aiming to engage the community and fill historical knowledge gaps.
- Engaging the Public through Educational Outreach and Museum Operations public_history_outreachThe organization operates a museum with public access, publishes a quarterly magazine, and offers interactive educational experiences to engage the community and visitors in the history of the Phoenix streetcar system.
- Historical preservation through collection and restoration historical_preservationCollects, preserves, and restores historic streetcars and infrastructure to maintain physical artifacts of Phoenix’s transit history, ensuring their long-term survival and educational use.
- Institutional collaboration and strategic location for broader outreach collaborationCollaborates with other institutions and showcases the Phoenix streetcar story in historically relevant locations, including Historic Grand Avenue, to expand audience reach and anchor the museum in the city’s historical landscape.
- Modernizing and Expanding Museum Experiences museum_development_and_modernizationThe organization is committed to developing and modernizing its museum facilities and exhibits, including building new museums and re-imagining existing ones, to offer new experiences and tell a more comprehensive story of Phoenix's history.
- Multi-format historical education and community engagement historical_educationUses docent-led tours, interactive experiences, oral histories from former riders, and a quarterly magazine to educate the public and engage the community in the history of the Phoenix streetcar system across multiple platforms.
- Preserving and Showcasing Historical Street Transportation historical_preservationThe organization collects, preserves, and showcases historic streetcars and related artifacts to maintain a tangible link to the past of street transportation, including restoring vehicles to operational status for "living history" exhibits.
- Preserving and Showcasing Historical Streetcars historical_preservationThe organization collects, preserves, and showcases historic streetcars to maintain a tangible link to the past and provide a foundation for historical education.
- Public museum operations with living history exhibits public_museum_operationsOperates a public museum featuring regular access and special events, enhanced by restoring historic streetcars like Streetcar #116 to operational status to serve as "living history" exhibits that provide immersive educational experiences.
- Reimagining and Expanding the Museum to Tell a Fuller Phoenix Story museum_modernization_and_expansionThe organization aims to build a new, modern museum and restore Streetcar #116 to operational status, creating a "living history" exhibit and filling a void in local historical preservation to tell a more comprehensive story of Phoenix's past.
- Revitalizing public historical memory through museum development historical_preservation_and_educationAims to fill the cultural void left by the closure of the History Museum of Phoenix by re-establishing the Phoenix trolley story as a central part of public historical memory through museum redevelopment and modernization.
- Utilizing Oral Histories to Preserve Local Narratives oral_historyThe organization uses oral histories from former trolley riders to preserve and share the personal experiences and broader history of the Phoenix streetcar system, ensuring that individual stories contribute to the collective historical record.
named programs · 5
what they call their work
Capitol Exhibit Collaboration
Partners with Arizona Capitol Museum and Heard Museum to present pop-up exhibits on Phoenix streetcar history and its connection to Native American communities
Education and School Tours
Offers guided tours and interactive educational experiences for school groups and visiting guests
Oral History Project
Records and presents first-hand accounts from individuals who rode Phoenix’s original streetcar system before 1948
Streetcar Restoration
Volunteer-driven restoration of historic Phoenix streetcars, including Birney Safety Car #116 and acquisition of Streetcar #509
Trolley Corps Volunteer Program
Engages volunteers in museum operations, restoration work, docent services, and special events
relationships · 8
who they work with
- American Car Company Partner — Built Streetcar #116
- Arizona Capitol Museum Partner — Collaborated to share the history of street transportation and hosted an exhibit.
- Arizona Historical Society Partner — Began the streetcar museum in partnership with the Arizona Historical Society, which housed its Phoenix headquarters in the historic Ellis-Shackelford House.
- Arizona Historical Society Partner — Larry Fleming became involved with the Arizona Historical Society and began to organize the Museum.
- Arizona Humanities Funder — Provided a grant for the Museum's oral history project.
- Heard Museum Partner — Collaborated to share the history of street transportation, supported an exhibit, and provided an exhibit curator and research assistance.
- Phelps Dodge Funder — Donated a 300-volt locomotive and spare parts to the museum
- Restaurant Equipment Hunter Partner — Mike Bystrom of this company provided a tip about the location of Streetcar No. 509