Photographer Unknown
Visit
Annual
Display at Dolley Madison Library
By Nicholas
Kalis
Once again,
my stepson Alexander celebrated November is Model Railroading Month by
setting up a model display at the Dolley Madison Library, 1244 Oak Ridge
Avenue, McLean, Virginia. As my wife Kate was retrieving his train display, one
boy stood mesmerized by these model trains being put away.
Dolley
Madison librarians reported, as they have done in previous years, that Alexander’s
display was very popular. Librarians regularly observed children standing
spell-bound at this display in their library lobby. I can attest that once when
my stepson was installing his trains, he was mobbed by about four boys who were
uncontrollably excited at the sight of Alexander’s trains – actually pawing his
trains.
Many if not
all libraries have such display areas for which they seek rotating exhibitors
throughout the year. At Dolley Madison, one can reserve their display case even
months in advance. Dolley Madison displays are to remain in place for one month
at which time one must remove one’s display items for the next exhibitor. Not
to fear, the display cases are locked, so pilferage is unlikely – though no one
would fault one for leaving one’s most expensive locomotive at home. The lobby display
case at Dolley Madison is well lite so no need to provide for one’s own
lighting.
Alexander
has been installing trains, varied magazines, and structures for three of the
past four years – he forgot one year. Did I say he started this when he was
about five years old? And yes, his parents did help him. He has included a copy
of NMRA Magazine in each display. One year he made a plea for new members and
even included the phone number of a Potomac Division Superintendent.
This would
be a good project for a single Potomac Division member or perhaps one of our
teams. November would probably be the best month to reserve a display area as
it is November is Model Railroading Month and it is near to Christmas
when people might just buy some trains for their children or even spouse.
Include some modeling magazines, some prototype magazines, perhaps a newsletter
or magazine from a railroad historical history; add to that some freight and
passenger cars, a few engines; a structure or two, perhaps some tracks and
voila – one’s display is done. Don’t forget to include some message about model
railroading month and perhaps mention of our NMRA’s web site so that folks can
obtain further information. If one is adventurous, one can even include one’s
own telephone number – up to one’s sense of adventure.
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