Steamtown National Historic Site and Electric City Trolley Museum in Scranton reopen on July 8
From a press release:
Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state and local public health authorities, the Steamtown National Historic Site in downtown Scranton is increasing recreational access this week.
The National Park Service is working service-wide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the coronavirus pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis.
Beginning Wednesday, July 8, in response to Pennsylvania’s green phase of reopening Lackawanna County, the Steamtown NHS (350 Cliff St., Scranton) will allow access to the park grounds, the historic 1902/1937 roundhouse, the steam locomotive cutaway exhibit, and the outdoor locomotive/rolling stock static exhibits from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. The America’s National Parks Store will be open Wednesdays through Sundays.
Interpretive ranger programs and shop tours will not be offered at this time. However, park rangers will provide informal interpretation services while roving throughout the park.
Out of consideration for the health of all visitors, the park strongly encourages the use of masks while visiting. Social distancing will be practiced, and the allowable capacity of all areas shall be reduced per CDC and state guidance. The park asks patrons to consider visiting during less popular times, such as first thing in the morning, late afternoon, or on a weekday. Restrooms will be open, but no water fountains will be available, so plan accordingly.
Steamtown’s history museum, technology museum, theater, locomotive shop, oil house exhibit, boardwalk and loading platform, and mall walkway will remain closed.
The Scranton Limited short train rides will not be offered at this time. Additionally, all rail passenger excursions to offsite destinations are canceled through Sept. 30.
Following this news, Lackawanna County announced today that the Electric City Trolley Museum, located next to the Steamtown NHS, is also reopening on July 8.
The museum (300 Cliff St., Scranton) will be open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. It will also operate the trolley excursions in a reduced capacity with social distancing in a safe, sanitized environment every Thursday through Sunday. Masks are required to enter the museum and for the trolley excursion.
The trolley departure times are 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:45 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3:15 p.m. Reservations are welcome but not necessary.
“The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. At Steamtown NHS, our operational approach will be to examine each facility, function, and service provided to ensure those operations comply with current public health guidance and will be regularly monitored. We continue to work closely with the NPS Office of Public Health using CDC guidance to ensure public and work spaces are safe and clean for visitors, employees, partners, and volunteers,” Steamtown said in a press release yesterday.
“While some areas are accessible for visitors to enjoy, a return to full operations will continue to be phased and services may be limited. When recreating, the public should follow local area health orders for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s green phase, avoid crowding, and avoid high-risk outdoor activities.
“The CDC has offered guidance to help people recreating in parks and open spaces to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health.”
The Steamtown NHS is typically open daily from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. From I-81, follow exit 185 (Central Scranton Expressway), then follow the brown and white signs to the park entrance at Lackawanna and Cliff Avenues (GPS: N 41.41, W 75.67). General park information is available by calling 570-340-5204 during regular business hours or by visiting the park website.
