Brodhead Historical Society Depot Museum, Wisconsin

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Brodhead, Wisconsin · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Depot museumOpen Memorial Day to the end of September, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons

The Brodhead Historical Society Depot Museum fills the town's restored 1881 Milwaukee Road depot with local history, and on the track behind it keeps Fairbanks-Morse locomotive No. 781 and caboose No. 01900, one of the most original Milwaukee Road cabooses still in existence.

  • Cream City brick depot, built 1881
  • Museum opened May 30, 1981
  • Fairbanks-Morse locomotive No. 781
  • 1941 Milwaukee Road caboose 01900
  • All-volunteer historical society
  • JB Teddy & Co gift shop

Brodhead Historical Society Depot Museum at a glance

Hours
Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 4 pm, Memorial Day to the end of September; large groups by appointment
Admission
No admission price posted; the society runs on donations
Seasonal events
Memorial Day opening, Covered Bridge Days, Autumn Fest, Monthly speaker meetings
Plan for
About 1 hour
Best for
Milwaukee Road fans and families with school-age kids
Best ages
Ages 5 and up

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Brodhead Historical Society Depot Museum? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Brodhead.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Bicentennial money, a brick depot and a lot of volunteers

The Brodhead Historical Society was founded in early 1975, with Francis Gombar as its first president, Florence Behrens as secretary and Barbara Bonlie as treasurer. In 1976 the young group took charge of the history side of Brodhead's celebration of the U.S. Bicentennial, running an antique show at the high school and an antique car show.

When the town's abandoned railroad depot on First Center Avenue became available, the society used the money it had raised during the Bicentennial to buy it. The building has its own story. Brodhead's first depot, a wooden one from 1856, burned to the ground, and the Milwaukee Road replaced it in 1881 with the Cream City brick station that stands today. A group of energetic volunteers restored it, and in spring 1980 Mary Timm and Winona Walters became the museum's first curators.

The grand opening, in the west end of the depot on May 30 and 31, 1981, drew 810 people. Since then the museum has grown into the freight room and the Knight addition, and the society has added a locomotive and caboose on the track behind the building. It remains an all-volunteer, member-supported nonprofit, and it recently marked its 50th anniversary with a new logo designed by lifetime member Paris Trumbower, built around the depot itself.

From cheese vats to a Beloit-built diesel

Inside, the restored depot, freight room and Knight addition hold carefully curated displays of artifacts, photographs and documents from Brodhead's past. Some exhibits stay year to year and others rotate. Recent displays have covered vintage cheese-making equipment from Brodhead and Green County cheese factories, musical instruments, broom-making tools and early Brodhead businesses, and the 2026 season added Brodhead professional photographers going back to 1860 and local advertising.

Out back, on what railroaders called the freight house lead, sit Milwaukee Road locomotive No. 781 and caboose No. 01900. The depot is on an active rail line, so keep an eye out for trains. Before you leave, stop at JB Teddy & Co, the museum's gift shop, named for stories found in the museum's own archives.

Don’t miss

  1. Locomotive No. 781Built in March 1950 by Fairbanks-Morse in nearby Beloit, this 1,000 horsepower H10-44 was among the first diesels the company produced. It worked out of Savanna, Illinois and the Dubuque and Illinois divisions before ending up in Janesville.
  2. Caboose No. 01900The first of 25 cabooses of its type built by the Milwaukee Road in 1941, it likely rolled through Brodhead many times. Donated in 1983, it is one of the most original Milwaukee Road cabooses surviving.
  3. The 1881 Cream City brick depotBuilt after the 1856 wooden depot burned, it was bought with Bicentennial proceeds and restored by volunteers.
  4. Cheese-making displaysVintage equipment from Brodhead and Green County cheese factories tells the story of the area's cheese makers.
  5. JB Teddy & CoThe gift shop inside the depot sells locally made goods inspired by Brodhead's history and legends; ask about the archive stories behind its name.

A locomotive, a caboose and a working rail line

Young train fans can see a real diesel locomotive and a Milwaukee Road caboose up close on the track behind the depot, and because the depot sits on an active rail line, a passing train is a bonus. Inside, the displays are static artifacts and photographs, which suit school-age kids who like to read labels and spot old objects.

The festival days are the most kid-friendly time to visit. During Covered Bridge Days in August the museum runs historical wagon tours, and Autumn Fest in October keeps the depot open all day.

Plan your visit: tips for Brodhead Historical Society Depot Museum

  • The museum closes for the winter after Autumn Fest in mid October and reopens on Memorial Day.
  • Call 608-897-4150 to book a large group outside regular hours.
  • Covered Bridge Days in August bring extended hours, 9 am to 4 pm, and historical wagon tours.
  • The depot is on an active rail line, so watch children near the tracks.

Run entirely by volunteers

The Brodhead Historical Society is an all-volunteer member organization and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates solely on donations. Volunteers staff the depot, curate the exhibits and run the gift shop. You can help by joining, donating, shopping at JB Teddy & Co, or emailing info@brodheadhistory.org to volunteer. Monthly meetings with guest speakers are held in the Knight addition and are a friendly way to get involved.

Rail stops within an hour of Brodhead

Across the Illinois line, the Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad & Museum in Freeport is about 28 miles away. The Wisconsin Historical Society in Madison is about 32 miles away, and Little Amerricka's Whiskey River Railway is about 41 miles away for a ride. Browse Wisconsin train museums for more.

Every train museum in Wisconsin

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a conductor in a blue suit shaking Rally's paw on the train
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Caboose 01900 has me thinking about the crews who rode at the back of the train. In our book Mr. Conductor, in his blue uniform, holds out his hand so Rally can climb aboard, and that kindness is the whole point of the scene. The volunteers who reopened this depot in 1981 strike me as the same kind of people: hands out, inviting everyone in. Our story page tells how my mom first dreamed it up.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Brodhead Historical Society Depot Museum?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Brodhead Depot Museum: 20 questions visitors ask

What are the Brodhead Depot Museum hours?

As of October 2026, the Brodhead Historical Society Depot Museum is open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 pm between Memorial Day and the end of September. Large groups can visit by appointment. The museum also opens for community festivals, such as Covered Bridge Days in August and Autumn Fest in October.

Is the Brodhead Depot Museum open in winter?

No. The Depot Museum closes for the winter after Autumn Fest in mid October and reopens to the public on Memorial Day. The historical society still meets monthly in some off-season months. If you need a winter visit for research or a group, call 608-897-4150 or email info@brodheadhistory.org to ask.

Where is the Brodhead Historical Society Depot Museum?

The museum is at 1108 1st Center Avenue in downtown Brodhead, Wisconsin 53520, inside the town's restored Milwaukee Road depot. The society's mailing address is P.O. Box 356 at the same street address. Call 608-897-4150 if you need help finding it.

How much does it cost to visit the Brodhead Depot Museum?

The society does not post an admission price. It is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit that says it operates solely on generous donations, so plan to leave a gift if you enjoy your visit. Call 608-897-4150 if you want to confirm before you go.

What locomotive is at the Brodhead Depot Museum?

Milwaukee Road locomotive No. 781 sits on the track behind the depot. Fairbanks-Morse built it in Beloit, Wisconsin in March 1950. It is an H10-44 producing 1,000 horsepower and one of the first diesels the company built. It worked out of Savanna, Illinois and in the Dubuque and Illinois divisions before a final assignment to Janesville.

What is special about the caboose in Brodhead?

Caboose No. 01900 was the first of 25 cabooses of its type built by the Milwaukee Road in 1941. Its last Milwaukee Road assignment was in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and it was donated to the society in 1983. The museum calls it one of the most original Milwaukee Road cabooses surviving today.

When was the Brodhead depot built?

The Cream City brick depot was built in 1881, after Brodhead's original wooden depot from 1856 burned to the ground. It served the Milwaukee Road and later stood abandoned until the historical society bought it. Volunteers restored it, and it has housed the Depot Museum since it opened in 1981.

When did the Brodhead Depot Museum open?

The museum held its grand opening on May 30 and 31, 1981, in the west end of the depot, and 810 people came. Mary Timm and Winona Walters had become its first curators in spring 1980. The museum has since grown into the freight room and the Knight addition.

Who founded the Brodhead Historical Society?

The society was founded in early 1975 to preserve the community's heritage. Its first officers were President Francis Gombar, Secretary Florence Behrens and Treasurer Barbara Bonlie. The next year it led the historical side of Brodhead's Bicentennial celebration and used the money raised to buy the depot.

What exhibits are inside the Brodhead Depot Museum?

The depot, freight room and Knight addition hold permanent and rotating displays of artifacts, photographs and documents. Recent exhibits include vintage cheese-making equipment from Brodhead and Green County cheese factories, musical instruments, broom-making equipment and early Brodhead businesses. New for 2026 were Brodhead photographers since 1860 and local advertising.

Does the Brodhead Depot Museum have a gift shop?

Yes. JB Teddy & Co is inside the depot and keeps the same hours as the museum. It sells locally created merchandise inspired by Brodhead's history and legends, among other fun things. The shop's name comes from stories uncovered in the museum's archives, and volunteers are happy to share them.

Is the Brodhead Depot Museum good for kids?

Yes, especially for train fans. Kids can see a real diesel locomotive and a caboose on the track behind the depot, and the building sits on an active rail line. Inside are static displays, which suit school-age children best. Festival days like Covered Bridge Days add historical wagon tours.

Can you ride a train at the Brodhead Depot Museum?

No train rides are offered. The locomotive and caboose are static displays on the freight house lead behind the depot. During Covered Bridge Days in August the society offers historical wagon tours instead. For a train ride, Little Amerricka's Whiskey River Railway in Marshall is about 41 miles away.

Can groups visit the Brodhead Depot Museum by appointment?

Yes. Large groups can arrange a visit by appointment, including outside the regular Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon hours. Use the group appointment option on brodheadhistory.org, call 608-897-4150 or email info@brodheadhistory.org to set a time with the volunteers. School classes, clubs and family reunions are all good candidates for a group visit.

What is Covered Bridge Days at the Brodhead Depot Museum?

Covered Bridge Days is a Brodhead community festival. In 2026 it ran August 7 to 9, and the Depot Museum opened August 8 and 9 from 9 am to 4 pm with historical wagon tours. Check the society's events page each summer for the next year's dates.

What is Autumn Fest at the Brodhead Depot Museum?

Autumn Fest is the museum's last open day of the year. In 2026 it fell on October 17, with the depot open from 9 am to 4 pm before closing for the winter. It is a good chance to visit after the regular season ends in September.

Does the Brodhead Historical Society hold public meetings?

Yes. Meetings are usually held on the last Monday of the month at 7 pm in the Knight addition of the Depot Museum, with guest speakers on local and regional history. There are no meetings in January, February, November or December. The October meeting is an annual show and tell.

How can I volunteer at the Brodhead Depot Museum?

The society and museum are run and maintained entirely by volunteers. Email info@brodheadhistory.org or use the volunteer form on the contact page to say what interests you, whether that is greeting visitors, helping with exhibits or working in the gift shop, and a volunteer will get back to you.

How do I donate to the Brodhead Historical Society?

The Brodhead Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates solely on donations. Use the donation form on its contact page, mail a gift to P.O. Box 356, Brodhead, WI 53520, or give in person at the depot. Membership is another way to support the museum.

What train museums are near Brodhead, Wisconsin?

The Silver Creek & Stephenson Railroad & Museum in Freeport, Illinois is about 28 miles away. The Milwaukee Road Historical Association is about 31 miles, the Wisconsin Historical Society in Madison about 32 miles, and Little Amerricka's Whiskey River Railway in Marshall about 41 miles. The East Troy Railroad Museum is about 51 miles.

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Kelsey Cecil
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