Harrington Railroad Museum, Delaware
Historic rail siteFreeSociety museums open the 1st and 3rd Sundays, noon to 5 pm, or by appointment
The Harrington Railroad Museum is a restored railroad tower, watchman's shack and 1926 Pennsylvania Railroad N5 caboose on Hanley Street, saved from destruction in 1993 by the Greater Harrington Historical Society and now one of the few structures of its kind left on the Delmarva Peninsula.
- Tower saved in 1993
- 1926 Pennsylvania Railroad N5 caboose
- Restored watchman's shack
- Free admission
- Society founded in 1977
- Visits by appointment too
Harrington Railroad Museum at a glance
- Hours
- 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month, noon to 5 pm, or by appointment
- Admission
- Free; donations welcome
- Seasonal events
- Heritage Day, Wreaths Across America
- Plan for
- About 1 hour for the rail complex, 2 hours with the society's other museums
- Best for
- Rail fans and local history lovers
- Best ages
- Ages 4 and up
Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.
Contact and directions
- Address108 Fleming St, Harrington, DE 19952(opens in a new tab)
- Phone(302) 398-3698
- Emailinfo@ghhsociety.org
- Websiteghhsociety.org(opens in a new tab)
Follow Harrington Railroad Museum
Look inside the book
Taking the kids to Harrington Railroad 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 Harrington.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $13.99 on 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.
How a town historical society saved its railroad tower
The Greater Harrington Historical Society was founded in May 1977, making it one of the oldest historical societies in Delaware. It started in a single office and has grown to three museum buildings and tens of thousands of artifacts, some reaching back to the early 1700s. Its first museum is the original St. Stephen's Episcopal Church of 1876, and members raised money to build the Pauline Satterfield Annex in 1987 when the collection outgrew it.
In 1993 the society stepped in to save a local landmark that was headed for destruction: Harrington's railroad tower. In doing so, it preserved what turned out to be one of the few structures of its type still standing on the Delmarva Peninsula. Volunteers restored the tower to its original operating condition and filled it with the tools and gear that kept trains moving through Harrington in the railroad's busiest years.
Beside the tower, the society placed and restored a Pennsylvania Railroad Model N5 caboose built in 1926, and a watchman's shack completes the little rail complex. Together they tell the story of the men who worked the line through town in the 1920s and 1930s. The society keeps every one of its museums and programs free, and is now working to expand its Annex to make room for more exhibits and a research room.
A tower, a caboose and a watchman's shack on Hanley Street
The railroad complex sits on Hanley Street, two blocks from the society's main museum on Fleming Street. Inside the restored tower are items from Harrington's railroad heyday, including a conductor's uniform and examples of the tools used to operate and maintain the railroad. The watchman's shack shows where a crossing watchman would have waited out his shift.
Next door, the 1926 N5 caboose holds equipment used in daily railroad work and shows what life was like for a crew member of the Pennsylvania Railroad in the 1920s and 1930s. Back on Fleming Street, the Annex adds a model of Harrington as it looked in the early 1900s, a soda fountain from Burton's Sport Shop and a horse-drawn funeral coach, and the 1876 church museum holds the society's military tribute.
Don’t miss
- The restored railroad towerBrought back to its original operating condition, it is one of the few towers of its type left on the Delmarva Peninsula.
- The 1926 Pennsylvania Railroad N5 cabooseFitted out with working-day railroad items, it shows how a Pennsylvania Railroad crew lived and worked in the 1920s and 1930s.
- The watchman's shackA small building with a big job: it recalls the watchmen who guarded crossings as trains passed through town.
- The conductor's uniformOne of the personal pieces in the tower that brings Harrington's railroad workers into focus.
- The early 1900s town modelIn the Annex on Fleming Street, a model shows Harrington as it looked when the railroad shaped daily life.
A caboose to explore and a tower to wonder about
Kids who like trains can step into the world of a real caboose crew and see the tools railroaders used every day. The complex is small, which makes it an easy stop for young children, and admission is free.
The Annex's model of early 1900s Harrington and the old soda fountain give school-age kids more to look at. Because hours are limited, families with a set travel day can call ahead to schedule a visit at another time.
Plan your visit: tips for Harrington Railroad Museum
- The railroad tower and caboose are on Hanley Street, two blocks from the main museum at 108 Fleming Street.
- Call (302) 398-3698 or email info@ghhsociety.org to arrange a visit outside the regular Sunday hours.
- The museum store sells local history ornaments, shirts and wristbands.
- The Clio app has a walking tour of Harrington for after your visit.
The Greater Harrington Historical Society
The Greater Harrington Historical Society, a volunteer-driven nonprofit, owns and cares for the railroad tower and caboose along with its two other museums. It keeps admission free and depends on members, donations, local business sponsors and its museum store. You can help by joining, donating to the Annex expansion, sponsoring a program, or shopping in the store.
More railroad history in southern Delaware
The Historic Georgetown Train Station is about 19 miles south, and the Laurel Heritage Museum is about 25 miles away. For a train ride, the Wilmington & Western Railroad is about 56 miles north. Browse Delaware's train museums for more.
- Historic Georgetown Train StationGeorgetown, DE · about 19 mi
- Laurel Heritage Museum / railroad-history collectionLaurel, DE · about 25 mi
- Cape May Seashore LinesCape May County, NJ · about 35 mi
- Chesapeake Beach Railway MuseumChesapeake Beach, MD · about 54 mi
- Wilmington & Western RailroadWilmington, DE · about 56 mi
- Marshall Steam Museum at Auburn HeightsYorklyn, DE · about 61 mi
Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive
A real conductor's uniform hangs in the Harrington tower, and that made me smile. In our book Mr. Conductor wears blue and holds out a hand to welcome Rally aboard, and every time we read it my kids hold out their hands too. It is lovely to know a small town kept the real thing safe so children can see it.
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
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
- Train museums in Delaware: every museum by town, with a map
- Train museums in every state: search by town or near you
- Christmas train rides in Delaware
- Halloween train rides in Delaware
- Every Amtrak route with kids
Work or volunteer at Harrington Railroad 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
- Harrington Railroad Museum official website(opens in a new tab)
- Harrington Railroad Museum on Facebook(opens in a new tab)
- Harrington Railroad Museum on Instagram(opens in a new tab)
- Harrington Railroad Museum on X(opens in a new tab)
Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.
Harrington Railroad Museum: 20 questions visitors ask
What is the Harrington Railroad Museum?
The Harrington Railroad Museum is the railroad complex of the Greater Harrington Historical Society in Harrington, Delaware. It includes a railroad tower restored to its original operating condition, a watchman's shack, and a 1926 Pennsylvania Railroad Model N5 caboose. The society saved the tower from destruction in 1993.
What is the Harrington Tower Railroad Museum?
It is another name for the same site: the restored railroad tower on Hanley Street that anchors the society's rail exhibits. The tower holds items from Harrington's railroad heyday, including a conductor's uniform and tools used to run and maintain the line, and it stands next to a restored 1926 caboose.
Where is the Harrington Railroad Museum?
The railroad tower and caboose are on Hanley Street in Harrington, Delaware, two blocks from the society's main museum. The society's address is 108 Fleming St, Harrington, DE 19952, which is also where its Annex museum stands. Harrington is in Kent County in central Delaware.
What are the Harrington Railroad Museum hours?
As of October 2026, the Greater Harrington Historical Society lists museum hours on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month from noon to 5 pm. You can also call or email to schedule a visit at another time. Since the railroad complex is a separate site, confirm it will be open when you call (302) 398-3698.
How much does the Harrington Railroad Museum cost?
It is free. The Greater Harrington Historical Society says all of its programs and museums are free to visit. The society relies on donations, memberships, sponsors and its museum store to keep it that way, so a donation during your visit is appreciated.
What is in the Harrington railroad tower?
The tower has been restored to its original operating condition and houses items from the heyday of trains in Harrington. Displays include a conductor's uniform and several examples of tools used to operate and maintain the railroad. A watchman's shack stands nearby as part of the same complex.
What kind of caboose is at the Harrington Railroad Museum?
It is a Pennsylvania Railroad Model N5 caboose built in 1926 and restored by the historical society. Inside are items used in daily railroad work, and the exhibit shows what a worker's life was like on the Pennsylvania Railroad in the 1920s and 1930s.
Why is the Harrington railroad tower important?
When the Greater Harrington Historical Society saved it from destruction in 1993, it preserved what turned out to be one of the few structures of its type left on the Delmarva Peninsula. It is a rare surviving piece of the railroad that ran through central Delaware.
Can I schedule a private visit to the Harrington Railroad Museum?
Yes. The society says you can always call or email to schedule a visit at your convenience, which is useful if you cannot come on the 1st or 3rd Sunday. Call (302) 398-3698 or email info@ghhsociety.org with your preferred date and the size of your group.
Is the Harrington Railroad Museum good for kids?
It works well as a short stop for families with train fans. Kids can see a real caboose and the tools railroad workers used, and the Annex has a model of early 1900s Harrington. The rail complex is small, so plan about an hour, and add time for the other society museums.
Who runs the Harrington Railroad Museum?
The Greater Harrington Historical Society, founded in May 1977, owns and runs the railroad complex as one of its three museum locations. The society is one of the oldest in Delaware and has gathered tens of thousands of artifacts over more than 40 years, supported by members, donors and local businesses.
What else can I see at the Greater Harrington Historical Society?
Besides the railroad complex, the society runs the original 1876 St. Stephen's Episcopal Church at 110 Fleming Street, with its restored Rose Window and military tribute, and the Pauline Satterfield Annex at 108 Fleming Street, with a soda fountain from Burton's Sport Shop, a town model and a horse-drawn funeral coach.
Does the Harrington Railroad Museum have a gift shop?
The Greater Harrington Historical Society has a museum store. It sells America 250th T-shirts, silicone wristbands and a numbered series of metal Christmas ornaments featuring local historic buildings, with a new ornament each year. You can shop on Heritage Day or through the society's website.
Are there events at the Harrington Railroad Museum?
The society holds Heritage Day, when the museum store is open, and organizes Wreaths Across America each December to honor veterans in local cemeteries. It also runs a Hometown Heroes Banner Program. Event dates are posted on the society's website and Facebook page, so check there before you go.
Is the Harrington Railroad Museum wheelchair accessible?
The society does not post accessibility details for the railroad tower, watchman's shack or caboose. Historic rail structures often have steps, so call (302) 398-3698 or email info@ghhsociety.org before your visit to ask what areas can be reached and whether volunteers can help.
How long should I spend at the Harrington Railroad Museum?
Plan on about an hour for the tower, watchman's shack and caboose. If you also visit the society's church museum and Annex on Fleming Street, two blocks away, allow about two hours. The Clio app's Harrington walking tour can fill the rest of an afternoon.
How can I support the Harrington Railroad Museum?
You can become a member of the Greater Harrington Historical Society, donate online, sponsor the society through its business sponsorship program, or give to the Annex building expansion. Shopping at the museum store also helps. All of these keep the museums free to visit.
Can I research Harrington history at the society?
The society is planning a research room with digital access to its holdings as part of its Annex expansion at 108 Fleming St. Its website already offers resources such as the Harrington Journals from 1933 to 1998 and the Voices of Harrington project. Email info@ghhsociety.org with research questions.
What is the Hometown Heroes Banner Program in Harrington?
It is a Greater Harrington Historical Society program honoring service members from the Harrington area. Each 24 by 48 inch banner shows a service member's picture, branch and era of service, and is paid for by family, friends or businesses, whose names appear on it. Forms are on the society's website.
What train museums are near Harrington, Delaware?
The Historic Georgetown Train Station is about 19 miles south, and the Laurel Heritage Museum is about 25 miles away. Cape May Seashore Lines in New Jersey is about 35 miles away, and the Wilmington & Western Railroad, which offers steam and diesel rides, is about 56 miles north.
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