Depot & Train Museums – Page 2 – Griffith History Museums

September 21, 2025June 17, 2026 victoriavm Depot & Train Museums, Griffith Depot and Historical Park, Monarch Waystation, Sundays at the Depot

News From the Griffith Junction Butterfly Stop!

The Superfantastical Monarch Journey

The monarch butterflies fluttering about aren’t just casual flutterers. They are the last to be born in 2025, and they are ‘super monarchs.’

Right now, they are busy sipping up nectar they, so as to build up fat reserves in their bodies. You see, these particular butterflies were born to do a seemly impossible job.

They, and millions of other super monarchs, fly 1200 miles to a fir tree forest in central Mexico between August and November. And the continuation of their existence in the northeastern states depends upon their safe arrival.

These butterflies do have some ‘super powers’ to help them accomplish their task.

– Because of this journey, a super monarch will live far longer than the 2 to 5 weeks normal monarch butterflies do.
– These butterflies are born with larger wings and are capable of flying 50 to 100 miles in a single day, weather permitting.
– It is believed they were born with an internal sun compass or magnetic compass to guide them to Central America.
– They can fly at speeds of 5 to 25 miles an hour for 4-6 hours a day, gliding on currents of warm air called thermals, to conserve energy when possible.

At the end of each day of their journey, the butterflies will seek out nectar from the flowers to fuel their next-day trip. Once that is accomplished, they will spend the night in trees, clustered together for protection.

It will take the monarchs who leave from Indiana 5 to 7 weeks to make the trip to that Mexican forest Oyamel fir tree forest.

Once there, they, and millions of other super monarchs, will blanket the fir trees for warmth and to conserve energy. Thereafter, they will enter a state of dormancy, allowing them to survive the winter.

We wish all these spectacular insects a safe trip.

🦋Join us in May 2026 to celebrate these incredible creatures at our 2nd Annual Butterfly Day at the Griffith Historical Park, featuring our Monarch Waystation, the Griffith Junction Butterfly Stop.

(If you come visit our Monarch Waystation at the Depot, we ask that you do so respectfully. Please don’t touch the plants, insects, or disturb the habitat in any way. Thank you!)

photos by Jeanette Bobos and Ken Krick

September 17, 2025June 17, 2026 victoriavm Activities & Events, Barrel Train, Central Market, Depot & Train Museums, Fundraiser, Griffith Depot and Historical Park, Sundays at the Depot, Support the History Museums, Parks, & Rail-Cam, Town History Museum at the Franklin Center, Volunteer

This weekend!

It’s a busy weekend for the Historical Society!!
🚂Friday – LAST Barrel Train at Central Market for the Season!
🚂Saturday – Barrel Train at Safety Day at Central Park!
🏛️Saturday – The TOWN HISTORY Museum at the Franklin Center will be open!
🛤️Sunday – Visit the Depot and Train Museums! Tour guides will be available. Parents of Beiriger 3rd Graders – come see what your kids learned this week!

July 16, 2025June 17, 2026 victoriavm Depot & Train Museums, Griffith Depot and Historical Park, History Notes, Society Saga, Support the History Museums, Parks, & Rail-Cam

Our Society Saga … #1

In this space, we’re going to share with your the story of how the Griffith Historical Society came to be.
But first, we’ll share the meaning of the word ‘saga.’ It’s an old word that historical society people like to throw around. It just means ‘a long story.
Since we’ve been around for going on 42 years, you know the word fits. Now, onto the story of us.
Take one town elder, Ray Anderson, walking his dog, Herman. Add in three young women – Kathy Anderson (no relation,) Marthann Hanrath, and Donna Gonzalez – walking for exercise.
You see, Ray mentioned to the ladies that the last railroad depot in town was scheduled for demolition. “They’re demolishing our heritage,” Ray told the ladies.
Later that day, Ray told his son, Howard, the same tale. Then Howard contacted Marthann and said, “Let’s save our heritage.”
Now sagas, because they are long, are often made up of a whole lot of smaller stories. And what happened next, and beyond, with Ray and Howard and the ladies, we will tell you in upcoming newsletters and posts.
But first we want you to meet Herman the Dog. Herman never left Ray’s side. Like when he was walking and encountered the ladies. Even when Ray attended Griffith Lions Club meetings. Because of his devotion to his master, Herman was made an honorary Lion.
He is the first canine to be so honored. Herman’s certificate of membership is shown here.

July 8, 2025June 17, 2026 victoriavm Depot & Train Museums, EJ&E Interlocking Tower, Griffith Depot and Historical Park, Support the History Museums, Parks, & Rail-Cam

Look familiar? The Tower made the Times!

We all like to see ourselves in the paper! We were excited to see something familiar in Monday’s edition of the Times of Northwest Indiana!

We’re celebrating this 101-year-old Tower this summer!

Plus a Sunday Celebrating the Tower in August! Date TBA

If you’re a subscriber, check out the Times article here: https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/article_c2cfc388-2eaf-4f80-a165-95dca1ddde51.html