The Wilton Historical Society is kicking off the holiday season Saturday, Nov. 30 with the grand opening of the annual Great Trains Exhibit.
This year, the Society’s historic 18th and 19th century buildings have been transformed into a breathtaking winter wonderland, complete with eight different train layouts winding through forests of trees and lights, all the while passing by all new buildings and even a rotating Carousel!
“This year it’s bigger than ever,” said Leslie Nolan, the director of the Society.
There’s a special kid’s room, with more buttons than ever before for the children to activate, some propelling the movement of everyone’s favorite Thomas the Tank Engine. The room will also feature a kids-only Brio set, every child’s first and favorite train.
Steve Desloge, chair of the 2013-2014 Train Committee, is thrilled to announce the donation of an historic s-gauge train, which will feature an entirely new layout incorporating this train into the exhibit. Many of the tracks and setups have been donated by Wilton residents, one most recently by resident Randy Hatch, who donated his childhood set. “These cars date back to late 1940s, early 50s,” Desloge said. “It’s an American Flyer set, which was the competition to Lionel.”
Desloge explained that there are seven tables on display, but each table can have multiple train sets and layouts. “We have 12-13 layouts. All in different sizes.” It takes well over 100 man-hours over several weeks to set everything up.
They create the exhibition keeping in mind how kids will see it–as well as making it interactive. “We always think, what is a 4-year-old going to see? We want them to see across the table. This one has a working gondola. What makes this really cool for kids and grandparents, we put a lot of push buttons in, so you can come here and push probably 20 different things. For instance, if you push this button, here, this guy in the little house would come out,” Desloge said. “That’s what makes it fun, because they discover what can happen.”
Some of the layouts are the same as in the past years, but each year they add new elements–a bridge, a waterfall and new trains. In the lower level of Abbot Barn there’s a compete permanent display of Wilton in the 1800’s. “A resident, Bob King, had it built for his house in 1993. You have Orem’s Diner, Gilbert and Bennett Wire Company, Congregational Church, all the old buildings. You have Merwin’s Meadows. That stays up all year. We’ve had it since Bob retired, at least 10 years.” Desloge said.
In addition, the Society has received the trains of several Wilton notables–town historian Bob Russell, first selectman Bill Brennan and Wilton’s Santa Skip Heydt donated their childhood sets. “We’re going to create an antique display that will be 8-ft. by 12-ft. and it will be only historic trains and track with write-ups about each of the donors. My goal is, as we get historic sets, with Wilton significance, to create a story around the person who donated it.”
As chair, it’s as much fun as it is work for Desloge. “This is the 16th year–it’s my 5th year involved. But some kids never grow up.”
To add to the festivities, storyteller Tom Hanford will be stopping by on opening day, Nov, 30, at 11 a.m. to illuminate 18th and 19th century train history for our guests through the use of song and storytelling. This lively performance is entertaining for all ages and is sure to add to the magic of the Great Trains exhibit.
The Great Trains exhibit will run from Saturday, Nov. 30, 2013 to Monday, Jan 20, 2014 on Wednesdays-Saturdays, 10am-4pm, and Sundays 12pm-4pm. Admission is free for members of the Society and $10 for non-member adults.