05/30/08 — The Northwestern Pennsylvania Railroad and Tooling Heritage Center will be developed in three phases, according to Mary Ann Martin, volunteer finance director.
The first phase will be to complete the outdoor location of the planned museum, bring the Erie Railroad locomotive Engine 518 to Meadville, and move the complete Foriska Machine Shop from its current East College Street location to the museum site.
The second phase will be to construct a 50-by-100-foot building.
The final phase will be site development and construction of the museum building — estimated to be completed in 2013 to 2015.
The 12,000-square-foot museum will include an outdoor display of equipment, displays providing information on railroad history in the French Creek Valley, with artifacts and interactive exhibits, an operating model railroad depicting the Meadville rail facilities circa 1945 to 1955, a theater, a gift shop, and an archives/research area.
While negotiations are continuing for receipt of two engines and a railroad car, the tooling and machining artifacts are already secured. The Foriska family has already committed to moving the building and all the equipment to the site.
It’s the former Davenport Manufacturing Co. that began operations in the early 1900s. Entering the shop is like taking a step deep into manufacturing history — and it’s still fully operational. The Foriska family has preserved everything.
Frank Foriska began working at the shop in 1926 and took ownership in 1962. The line shaft operation ran from a single motor and had a system of line shafts, pulleys, belts and clutches that operated numerous machines.
Foriska’s son, Albert, who also worked in the shop, has been instrumental in preserving the machines in good working condition and was recently featured on an Armstrong cable television special to show off the vintage operation.
Line shaft was a power transmission system at the heart of the Industrial Revolution. Prior to the widespread use of electric motors, line shafting was used to distribute power throughout factories or mills.
In addition to the tool shop, there will be many other tooling and machining artifacts, including a training suit worn by astronaut John Glenn as he was preparing for his historic space flight. The zippers in that suit were made by Talon, the company which brought about the beginning of the tooling and machining industry in Meadville.
Other items will include a Talon zipper machine, six display cases with artifacts and gaging (tool and die) tools, six machine tools, a Talon apprentice bench and tools and draft table used from the 1940s through the 1960s.
Local News
Heritage center should be finished by 2015
- Local News
-
-
Walker hired to fill Meadville's newest administrative position
The City of Meadville’s soon-to-be-newest administrator is a familiar name in the area and familiar with the city.
-
Edinboro protest planned against proposed state budget cuts
If you’re a student or faculty member at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, don’t be surprised if Trevor Belz, a sophomore from Saegertown, shares some strong opinions with you in the next few days — and urges your attendance at a campuswide protest planned for Tuesday.
-
Local legislators: Corbett budget off to a good start
Elected officials representing Crawford County in Pennsylvania’s Senate and House of Representatives are gearing up for what looks like a lengthy budget process.
-
Crawford Central's Heller says new budget plan hobbles school districts
Area educators haven’t had a lot of time to mull over the implications of the budget proposal presented Tuesday to a joint meeting of Pennsylvania’s Senate and House of Representatives by Republican Gov. Tom Corbett.
-
District Judge Chisholm nears record for ‘longest serving’
Magisterial District Judge William Chisholm is in line to set a new record by becoming Crawford County’s longest-serving magistrate.
-
Traveling breast cancer exhibit to make local stop
The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition is bringing its traveling photo exhibit, “67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania,” to Crawford County March 1 through 10.
-
Judge Chisholm’s memories run deep
Looking back over his 26 years as a district magisterial judge, Judge William Chisholm has many memories of special events — even some humorous ones.
-
Fire guts historic Vernon Township building
“Another landmark gone,” Sandy Porter of the Crawford County Historical Society said as he looked across the street at the large red-brick building gutted by fire early Sunday just outside Meadville’s city limits.
-
No snow? Road crews have plenty to keep them busy
Patching potholes, clearing ditches and readying equipment for spring projects: Those are a few of the ways area crews have been keeping busy in recent days as Mother Nature’s decidedly spring-like behavior has caused road departments to start switching gears.
-
News analysis: Romney proves he's tough and adaptable
Mitt Romney’s resounding win in the Florida GOP primary last week is a warning shot to any Democrats who think the former Massachusetts governor will be a soft target.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Walker hired to fill Meadville's newest administrative position
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Video of Ga. Man Who Killed Girl Released
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
