The Southeastern Railway Museum has matched a $50,000 grant from the Hudgens Family Foundation.
The museum plans to use the $100,000 to renovate a 2,500-square-foot office module into an educational classroom and office space. The project is expected to cost more than $200,000, and the museum is still accepting donations.
The late D. Scott Hudgens Jr., a businessman, community leader, patriot and philanthropist, established the Scott Hudgens Family Foundation. The organization, through future generations of the Hudgens family, continues his philanthropic work.
The museum is closed until mid-May in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. As a result, it has canceled or postponed many of its events, including Caboose Days and its summer camp program.
“This has been a difficult time for everyone, including our volunteers, who are passionate about preserving railroad history for future generations,” said Randy Pirkle, executive director of the Southeastern Railway Museum. “We appreciate the support many in the community have shown, and we look forward to welcoming back visitors as soon as we can do so safely.”
For anyone able, the museum is accepting donations at train-museum.org/donate-online. For more information, visit train-museum.org.