March 20th, 2009 

Construction of

Casey Jones Museum Expansion

 on Track for Summer Travel Season

(Jackson, TN)   Casey Jones’ famous last ride may have taken place almost 110 years ago but his memory is alive and well in Jackson, Tennessee.  The original 1880’s home where the famous railroad engineer lived with his wife and three children at the time of his heroic death on April 30^th, 1900 has been a museum in Jackson, Tennessee since 1956.   It is owned by the citizens of Jackson and has been privately managed by Brooks Shaw & Son’s Old Country Store for over 30 years.   Call it the little engine that could, but his home is about to venture into a whole new era just in time for the summer travel season.

In a move that preserved the museum for generations to come, the City of Jackson was awarded a federal grant from the Tennessee Department of Transportation approved and signed by Governor Phil Bredesen allowing the Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum to build a major 7,500 square foot transportation museum. Construction is well underway and the addition is scheduled to open by early summer 2009.  The home of Casey Jones is temporarily closed until construction is complete for exhibit and renovation purposes.  Clark Shaw, CEO of the Old Country Store, is the project coordinator. Lawrence Taylor is the Executive Director of the Museum and his wife, Norma, is the Museum Historian.

The TDOT grant and a private funding match provided by the Old Country Store is paying for the construction of the Museum expansion.   The grant does not allow any funds for interior exhibits or the restoration needs of the Casey Jones Home. The Museum is currently seeking community partners to assist us in funding goals. 

Museum officials have announced this week that they have partnered with West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation in forming a  non- profit arm of the Casey Jones Home & Railroad Museum allowing individual and corporate sponsors to take 100% tax deductions for contributions.  All donations will be used for either new exhibits or educational programs as well as for the upkeep of the Casey Jones Home.   Contributions to the Casey Jones Historical Fund  can be made online  at www.wthfoundation.org/makeadonation .  Once registered, a "Community Fund" donation can be made by selecting from the "Designation" drop down menu.  Donations can also be made by  mailing a check to:  West Tennessee Healthcare Foundation   620 Skyline Avenue  Jackson, Tennessee 38301.

The new “Train Station” will recreate the feel of  an authentic 1890's train depot. Guests will enjoy a new theatre that will show an updated film on Casey Jones’ life and legend, a permanent Exhibit Hall and traveling Exhibit hall.    The Museum exhibits will be widely expanded in the new building and include artifacts from the life and legend of Casey Jones, his fireman Sim Webb, the life of a typical 1900 railroad worker in Tennessee as well as numerous other train related exhibits.

Museum guests will walk onto a platform as they exit the back door of the Train Station as if to board a train in 1900 and be able to climb into the cab of the 130 ton locomotive engine in place very similar to Ole #382 that Casey Jones rode to fame. Visitors will also tour the attached 80 foot rail car will be filled with an extensive model train exhibit.  The original home of Casey Jones is the highlight of the tour decorated in period furniture.  Museum guests will then return to the Train Station that will house a new official Gift Shoppe and children's reading area.   Spaces in the building will be ideal for children's birthday parties and for local community meetings and functions of all  kinds.   Catering services will also be available.

The Museum will be open daily from 9 am to 8 pm beginning in June.  A Ribbon Cutting & Dedication is scheduled for the third weekend in June. The ribbon cutting is scheduled for 11 am on Friday, June 19th followed by tours of the new building and a reception.   

Visit http://www.caseyjones.com/ for updates. Casey Jones Village is located on the Highway 45 By-pass at I-40 exit 80A in Jackson, Tennessee.