“The First Train to Greenport – July 27, 2024”

.          On Saturday, July 27, 1844 the Long Island Rail Road traveled its first trains to Greenport Village to open a new transportation route from New York City to Boston.

.          180 years to the day, on Saturday, July 27, 2024 the Railroad Museum of Long Island, Greenport Village and the entire North Fork will celebrate the “First Train to Greenport – July 27, 1844”

.          In concert with the Long Island Rail Road and the Long Island Sunrise Trail Chapter of the National Railway Historical Society, we will recreate the 1844 celebration at the Railroad Museum of Long Island, 440 – 4^th Street, Greenport.  A historic marker, granted by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, will be unveiled adjacent to the museum at the entrance to the Greenport Transportation District.  This entire four acre site of tracks, buildings and a locomotive turntable is listed on the New York State and Federal Registry of Historic Places.

.          Please join with us Saturday, July 27, 2024 at 10:45 AM to greet the morning train with its Special Excursion Railcar.  If you have clothing that would resemble 1844 wear – dress up and play the part of the villagers and townspeople!   At 11:30 AM our elected officials and Long Island Railroaders will offer a few words to recall the great day.  At 12:00 Noon, the Railroad Museum of Long Island will unveil the historic marker for everyone to see.

.          The Long Island Rail Road is adding an excursion car to the morning train.  You may wish to travel by train to the Celebration!  You can get information about the special rail car here:  https://away.mta.info/deals/lirr-escorted-tour-190th-anniversary-tour-2024/

.          After the Celebration you may wish to walk over to Moore’s Woods Park to have a ride on the newly opened GREENPORT EXPRESS mini railroad.  The Railroad Museum of Long Island participated in the restoration of this Miniature Train Company G-16 park train.  The train will operate from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays beginning July 12, 2024.  See it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7sKsIzX6C5g

.          We are looking forward to a great day celebrating the First Train to Greenport and the 190th Anniversary of our Long Island Rail Road.

I hope to see you there,
Don Fisher, President

Railroad Museum of Long Island

The William G. Pomeroy Foundation® is a private, philanthropic organization located in Syracuse, N.Y. As the nation’s leading funder of historical roadside markers, the Pomeroy Foundation has awarded more than 2,400 grants for markers and bronze plaques in 48 states and Washington, D.C. To learn more about the Pomeroy Foundation, visit wgpfoundation.org.

“The First Train to Greenport – July 27, 1844”                                                                                       Rodman Pell 1909 – 1995

.         “27 EAST” called Rodman Pell the “Grandpa Moses of Greenport!”  He was a descendent of Thomas Pell who established Pelham, NY in 1654. 

.          Rodman created an art studio in Greenport on property where the Pell family operated a successful wholesale fish business.  There, he expressed himself in primitive, “Naïve Art” of Greenport, the North Fork and his early childhood memories.  His methods and style are important attributes of “Historic Folklore Art.” 

.          With this featured painting, from the collection of the Railroad Museum of Long Island, we see Rodman’s vision and imagination of the “First Train to Greenport – July 27, 1844.”  The “Peconic House” hotel hosted the affair and was located in the vicinity of American Legion Post and skating rink today.  The diminutive LIRR steam locomotive and cars, the “Stonington” paddlewheel steamboat, representing the ship that brought folks from Sag Harbor for the grand event, and a “tip O’ the hat” to Stonington, Connecticut, the next destination for train riders on their way to Boston