Windham / Willimantic Wonders: Railroad Museum, One Of Only Four In CT, Opens May 4

May 4.  In working closely with a real estate client, I learned the date – and have remembered it well.  For Gerry, this date is like the last day of school to a child or the first day of retirement for a long-time employee.  The fun begins!

May 4.  This is the 2013 Opening Day for a Willimantic institution and tourism draw, Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum.  The museum is totally a labor – heavy-duty, heavy-metal labor – of love for its many volunteer members.  They work year-round to constantly expand and improve the museum and its many historic holdings, which include trains and buildings.  They also perform outreach and take part in community events like model train exhibits at Windham High School and home expos at local malls – which is where I learned why it is called Connecticut Eastern.

CERM is open on Saturdays and Sundays from May to October, 10:00 to 4:00 p.m.  The entrance to the museum is just off of Main Street in downtown Willimantic, right along the railroad tracks (of course) across from Railroad Street and directly behind the Windham Region Chamber of Commerce.  The museum is a treat and a delight unto itself, but also regularly features special events and musical attractions.

CERM is one of only four railroad museums in Connecticut.  One of its unique features is that visitors can not only look and touch, but can actually operate a piece of equipment.  Be prepared to work!  The piece of equipment is a human-powered replica of a pump car; no other museum in Connecticut offers this benefit.

For more information on Connecticut Eastern Railroad Museum, consult their website http://www.cteastrrmuseum.org or call 860-456-9999.

In answer to the question one may have about the name of the museum, railroad lines and companies take name of its dominant location first, in this case, Connecticut, then add the distinguishing or more localized location, in this case, Eastern, after that.

May 4, 2013.  I know where I’ll be spending some of my day.

This article is written by Peter Leeds, a real estate agent with CG Real Estate in North Windham.  Peter also serves as athletic director and soccer coach at Parish Hill Middle / High School in Chaplin.  That said, he insists that he is Peter Leeds Not Just The Sports Guy.  He is in fact Peter Leeds CT Real Estate.  He can be reached at 860-377-4433 or peter@cgrealestate.net.  Still a relative newcomer to the town, Peter Leeds has lived in Willimantic for more than three decades and is a fan of and cheerleader for the little city of Willimantic and the town of Windham as well.

http://www.facebook.com/peter.cgrealestate.net#!/PeterLeedsRealtyNotJustTheSportsGuy

In answer to some questions that may be asked by students or staff of the University of Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut State University, and / or Quinebaug Valley Community College, Willimantic is not just the frog bridge town.  It is one of the four communities that comprise the town of Windham:  The villages of Windham Center, North Windham, and South Windham and the city of Willimantic.  Willimantic is also famous as “Romantic Willimantic” and for its Boom Box Parade and Victorian Days Home Tours.  It is also home of one of the few brew pubs in Connecticut (Willimantic Brewing Company) and one of the very few storefront food co-ops (Willimantic Food Co-op).  It is also a city of four bridges, including Garden on the Bridge, the Willimantic Footbridge (the longest single span east of the Mississippi), and of course, Thread City Crossing (aka the frog bridge).

The real estate company that Peter Leeds works for, CG Real Estate, is a rapidly expanding independent real estate firm, with offices in North Windham, Salem, and Berlin.  CG Real Estate is one of Connecticut’s most successful short sale experts.  CG Real Estate agents also are expert in assisting students or staff of the University of Connecticut, Eastern Connecticut State University, and / or Quinebaug Valley Community College with their home sale or purchase or finding just the right rental to suit their needs.