Restoration of Museum and Exhibits
Significant restoration has been accomplished at the Santa Fe Museum over the past few years.
New Kitchen & Deck
A new kitchen and deck were built at the rear of the museum in 2018. Great addition for our events.
New Replica Windows
The museum received new "old" windows built as exact replicas of the original windows from 1900. Funding for the new windows was provided by the Hotel Occupancy Tax funds administered by the City of Sealy.
Central Heat & Air
The museum has been fully air-conditioned, and spray foam was installed in the attic and below the floor. Funds for the air conditioning and insulation of the main museum building were provided by the Abe and Irene Levine Trust.
1927 Caboose Restored
The 1927 Caboose has new windows and has been restored inside and out.The caboose was manufactured in 1927 and is one of the first 150 steel cabooses manufactured for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad. Railroad companies refer to a caboose as a "way car."
The interior and exterior of the caboose are nearly original. The only additions and changes to the caboose are the addition of a toilet and electricity and replacement of the wooden tool/storage box beneath the caboose and replacement of the top rails on the cupola.
In 2011, the exterior and interior of the caboose were restored to their original appearance, down to repainting the number “1605” and “AT&SF” on the sides in the original size and font. Documentation of the original colors for the interior and exterior were obtained, allowing the Sealy Area Historical Society to turn back the clock for the caboose.
Much of the funding for restoration of the caboose was provided by the Abe and Irene Levine Trust. Replacing the old windows was one of the final steps in the complete restoration of the caboose.
WE NEED TRUCKS, WHEELS, TRACKS AND RAILROAD TIES TO MAKE THE CABOOSE RESTORATION COMPLETE.
Charlie Krumpitz and Denis Muras replaced the deteriorated windows in the caboose. Mr. Krumpitz and Mr. Muras have paid for the construction materials to re-build the windows and have donated their labor.
