SFRH&MS is the world’s principal independent organization devoted to preserving, studying, and sharing information about all aspects of the history of the Santa Fe and about modeling its operations, equipment, and structures. To this end we have archives in two current locations and eagerly receive donated materials from collectors and their families.
The Society’s Western Archives is located within the San Bernardino History & Railroad Museum at the old Santa Fe Depot at 1170 West 3rd Street, San Bernardino, California. Included in the Archives are artifacts, books, magazines, drawings, photographs, slides and a wide variety of records and documents from primarily, but not exclusively, the old Coast Lines. A volunteer staff continuously works to preserve and catalog this vast collection. The Western Archives is open most Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and at other times by appointment. Researchers and visitors are urged to call ahead. For further information, or to make a donation or to volunteer, contact the Archives Oversight Officer, Dave Snell, 1601 Crestview Road, Redlands, CA 92374, (909) 529-0081, . See the Western Archive Newsletter.
A partnership was announced in June, 2003, between the Society and the Railroad and Heritage Museum in Temple, TX. This former ATSF depot houses an expanding collection including the collection of Robert Pounds and the massive (23 ton) collection of Richard Scholz. The professional archivist and staff of the Temple museum has greatly enhance the cataloguing and preservation of Santa Fe memorabilia.
When making donations to the SFRH&MS society members can either contact Bill Childers or Craig Ordner. Bill is the SFRH&MS representative to the museum. Items donated to the society are identified as such (Example-Scholz Collection, SFRH&MS Archives), and becomes the property of the Society, and not the museum.
The Railroad & Heritage Museum is a nonprofit organization which is guided by a board of directors. Funding for the museum comes from memberships, donations and from the City of Temple.
If you or your heirs are seeking a location to preserve your collection of photographs, movies, recorded oral descriptions, books, blueprints, lanterns, uniforms, clocks…., we would be honored to be entrusted with that collection. Since the society is a 501(C)3 organization, a letter of donation will be given for tax purposes.
Craig Ordner, Curator/Archivist
Railroad & Heritage Museum
315 West Ave. B.
Temple, TX 76501
(254) 298-5190