Ages 4+: Harris Tower Museum

Date – Time

October 14, 2024 – 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Location

Harris Tower Museum, Harrisburg
637 Walnut St
Harrisburg, PA 17101 US
on street parking

Additional Information

Ages 4+: Harris Tower Museum

Date: Oct 14, 2024
Time: 10:00a – 11:00a
Cost: $5/person ages 4 and older
Ages: 4 and up
Location: 637 Walnut Street, Harrisburg
Sign up: all attendees. Please pay via PayPal at the time of sign up to ensure your spot.
Contact: Beth Mellott: HomeschooLegacy.com

Harris Tower was constructed by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1929 and opened on April 26, 1930. Its 113 interlocking levers originally controlled the complex maze of switches and signals along 3,250 feet of track between Herr Street and the middle of the Harrisburg passenger station platforms. Its location was strategically placed at the west end of the PRR's busy Harrisburg train station, which still exists today as a train station for Amtrak. This tower, which was manned 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, was basically the 'traffic controller' for all the trains entering and exiting the station. Not only did this tower handle 50 passenger trains daily, there were also plenty of freight trains, too.
As the amount of track in Harrisburg was reduced and regional control operations were computerized and centralized, Harris Tower’s importance was diminished. The tower was ultimately closed on November 15, 1991.

Today, a complex computer program, designed specifically for use at Harris Tower, teaches visitors about the operations of the tower in its heyday. The program is connected to the original 113 interlocking levers, allowing visitors to control virtual trains through a simulation of the 1940s track pattern based on period-correct Pennsylvania Railroad timetables and train schedules.

Space is limited! If we have a waiting list, we will schedule another tour in Feb of 2025.

** this will be a donation HAHA is making to the museum because they are willing to accommodate us outside of their normal weekend hours.