Historical Society of East Pennsboro in Enola, Pennsylvania

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Enola, Pennsylvania · Updated October 19, 2026 · 10 min read

Rail preservation groupMuseum open Tuesday and Thursday, 9 am to 3 pm, plus second Saturday tours

The Historical Society of East Pennsboro is an all-volunteer nonprofit in Enola that collects and shares the history of East Pennsboro Township, from its early landmarks to the railroad and the growth of Enola in the 1900s.

  • All-volunteer nonprofit
  • Open Tuesday and Thursday
  • Second Saturday house tours
  • Railroad history book for sale
  • Nail Museum by appointment

Historical Society of East Pennsboro at a glance

Hours
Tuesday and Thursday, 9 am to 3 pm; second Saturday of each month, 10 am to 2 pm for tours
Admission
Not posted online; call (717) 732-5801
Seasonal events
Railroad Show and Collectors Market, Pumpkin Fest, Fall Dinner Meeting, Guest speaker programs
Best for
Local history fans and anyone with roots in Enola
Best ages
School age 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 Historical Society of East Pennsboro? 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 Enola.

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.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

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

Keeping East Pennsboro's story, rails and all

The Historical Society of East Pennsboro Township is a nonprofit, all-volunteer educational group devoted to the township's heritage, landmarks and artifacts. Its members collect and preserve relics and documents, teach the public about local history, and work to build pride in East Pennsboro and the communities that share its past. The society has moved from its earlier home at 410 Cherry Street to 51 Miller Street in Enola.

Railroad history is one thread of that work. The society sells a railroad history book at its headquarters, and its writing on Enola covers topics such as the town's growth in 1908 and the Enola Fire Company. Volunteers are currently raising money to restore the Enola Miller House, and they are looking for more help, including a volunteer treasurer. Visitors interested specifically in railroading should call ahead to ask what rail material is on display.

The museum, the Miller House and the Nail Museum

The museum at 51 Miller Street holds the society's collection of township artifacts and documents. On the second Saturday of each month, volunteers give tours of the museum and the Enola Miller House, which is being restored. A separate Nail Museum can be visited by appointment, and group visits are preferred.

Don’t miss

  1. Enola Miller HouseThe historic house the society is restoring, open for tours on the second Saturday of each month.
  2. The railroad history bookSold at the Miller Street headquarters for $25 including tax, after a price reduction.

A quiet stop for curious older kids

This is a small local history museum rather than a hands-on train attraction, so it suits older children who like old objects and stories about their town. The second Saturday tours are the easiest way for a family to visit, since volunteers are on hand to show you around. For a family outing with more activity, the society's yearly events, such as Pumpkin Fest at Adams-Ricci Park, are a good fit.

Plan your visit: tips for Historical Society of East Pennsboro

  • Come on the second Saturday of the month for museum and Enola Miller House tours.
  • Call (717) 732-5801 to book the Nail Museum; groups are preferred.
  • Use the new address, 51 Miller Street; the society has moved from 410 Cherry Street.
  • Call ahead if you are coming mainly for railroad history.

Volunteers restoring the Miller House

Every part of the society is run by volunteers, and they are asking for help right now, including a volunteer treasurer. You can support the Enola Miller House restoration by buying an engraved brick paver for the new sidewalk around the house, making a donation of any amount online, buying the railroad history book, or attending the fall dinner meeting.

Trains to see near Enola

For a train ride, the Williams Grove Railroad is about 8 miles away and the Middletown & Hummelstown Railroad about 13 miles. Rail historians may also want the Pennsylvania Railroad Technical & Historical Society, about 39 miles away. Browse train museums across Pennsylvania for more.

Every train museum in Pennsylvania

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of Rally the corgi dreaming about his toy turtle, green bone and yellow ball
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

A historical society is really a town's suitcase, packed carefully with the things it does not want to lose. Rally packs his own little bag in our book: his turtle toy, his green bone and his yellow ball, the treasures that matter most to a corgi. My mom would have loved a place like this, where neighbors save the small things. My kids and I color the suitcase page from our coloring pages together.

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 Historical Society of East Pennsboro?

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.

Historical Society of East Pennsboro: 20 visitor questions

What is the Historical Society of East Pennsboro?

It is a nonprofit, all-volunteer educational and historical organization dedicated to preserving and interpreting the heritage, landmarks and artifacts of East Pennsboro Township. It collects relics and documents, educates the public about township history, and runs a museum in Enola along with tours of the Enola Miller House.

Is this the East Penn Railway Historical Society?

This page covers the Historical Society of East Pennsboro in Enola, which is sometimes listed under the East Penn Railway Historical Society name. It is a township history society whose work includes railroad history. If you are looking for a different rail group, contact the society at (717) 732-5801 and they may be able to point you in the right direction.

Where is the Historical Society of East Pennsboro museum?

The museum is at 51 Miller Street, Enola, Pennsylvania 17025. The society previously used 410 Cherry Street, so make sure your map app has the new Miller Street address. For directions or questions before your visit, call (717) 732-5801 or email enolayard@comcast.net.

What are the Historical Society of East Pennsboro museum hours?

As of October 2026, the museum is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am to 3 pm. Museum and Enola Miller House tours are also offered on the second Saturday of each month from 10 am to 2 pm. The society is volunteer run, so call (717) 732-5801 before a special trip.

How much does it cost to visit the Historical Society of East Pennsboro?

Admission prices are not posted on the society's website. Because it is an all-volunteer nonprofit, donations are welcome and help fund projects like the Enola Miller House restoration. Call (717) 732-5801 to ask about any fees, especially for group tours or Nail Museum visits.

Does the Historical Society of East Pennsboro have railroad history?

Yes, railroad history is one of the topics the society covers, with a dedicated railroad history section on its website and a railroad history book for sale at its headquarters. The full collection focuses on the township as a whole, so if rail artifacts are your main interest, call (717) 732-5801 to ask what is on display.

How do I buy the East Pennsboro railroad history book?

The society sells a railroad history book at its headquarters at 51 Miller Street in Enola. After a price reduction, it costs $25 including tax. Stop in during museum hours on Tuesday or Thursday from 9 am to 3 pm, or call (717) 732-5801 to check availability before you come.

What is the Enola Miller House?

The Enola Miller House is a historic house the Historical Society of East Pennsboro is restoring. Volunteers lead tours of the museum and the house on the second Saturday of each month from 10 am to 2 pm. The society is raising money for the restoration through donations and engraved paver sales.

What is the Nail Museum in Enola?

The Nail Museum is a part of the Historical Society of East Pennsboro that is open by appointment only. The society prefers group tours and asks organizations or groups to call (717) 732-5801 to set up a visit. It is not part of the regular Tuesday and Thursday hours.

Does the Historical Society of East Pennsboro offer group tours?

Yes. Group visits are welcome, and the Nail Museum tours in particular are offered on request with groups preferred. Call (717) 732-5801 to arrange a time for a school class, scout troop, club or family reunion. The monthly second Saturday tours are another easy option for small groups.

What is the railroad show connected to the Historical Society of East Pennsboro?

The society lists a Railroad Show and Collectors Market among its yearly events, held at the Scottish Rite Cathedral, 2701 N. 3rd Street, Harrisburg, on a Saturday in March from 9 am to 3 pm. Check the society's events page or call ahead to confirm the current year's date before you go.

What events does the Historical Society of East Pennsboro hold?

Yearly events include the Railroad Show and Collectors Market in Harrisburg, Pumpkin Fest on October 10 and 11 at Adams-Ricci Park, and a Fall Dinner Meeting, held on October 27, 2026 at Central Penn College for $30 per person. The society also hosts guest speaker programs on local history.

Is the Historical Society of East Pennsboro good for kids?

It is best for school-age kids who like history and stories about their own town, since it is a small volunteer museum rather than a hands-on train attraction. The second Saturday tours make a visit easier with children. For a livelier family outing, try Pumpkin Fest at Adams-Ricci Park in October.

Can you ride a train at the Historical Society of East Pennsboro?

No. The society runs a local history museum, not a railroad, and no train rides are offered. For a ride nearby, the Williams Grove Railroad is about 8 miles away and the Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad is about 13 miles away. Both are covered on this site's Pennsylvania pages.

Is the Historical Society of East Pennsboro museum accessible?

Accessibility details are not posted on the society's website. Historic buildings like the Enola Miller House can have steps or narrow spaces, so if you use a wheelchair, walker or stroller, call (717) 732-5801 before your visit to ask about entrances and which areas you can reach.

How can I volunteer with the Historical Society of East Pennsboro?

The society is all-volunteer and is actively looking for help, including a volunteer treasurer for the nonprofit. Anyone interested in local history, tours, events or restoration can call (717) 732-5801 or email enolayard@comcast.net. Volunteering is a good way to learn about Enola's past firsthand.

How do I buy a paver for the Enola Miller House?

The society sells engraved bricks and pavers that will form the sidewalk around the Enola Miller House. You can download the order form from eastpennhistory.org or pay online and use the optional note field for your personalized message. It is one of the main ways the restoration is being funded.

How can I donate to the Historical Society of East Pennsboro?

You can donate any amount online through eastpennhistory.org to help restore the Enola Miller House. Other ways to give include buying a paver, purchasing the railroad history book, or attending the Fall Dinner Meeting. As an all-volunteer nonprofit, the society depends on this support.

Does the Historical Society of East Pennsboro host speakers?

Yes. The society hosts guest speaker programs on local history, and recent speakers have included George DeMartyn, George Tyson and Jean Foschi. Upcoming talks are posted on the events section of eastpennhistory.org, so check there or follow the society for announcements.

What train attractions are near Enola?

The Williams Grove Railroad is about 8 miles away and the Middletown and Hummelstown Railroad is about 13 miles away. Further south, the Northern Central Railway of York, the Ma and Pa Railroad Heritage Village and the Stewartstown Railroad are each about 41 to 43 miles away, and Strasburg is about 47 miles.

Keep exploring

More family train guides from Rally

Kelsey Cecil
Previous

Railroad Museum of Minot, North Dakota
Next

Iowa Trolley Park in Clear Lake, Iowa